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“ Make a single move and I’ll shoot you,” Josh cried in a loud voice. “ Drop 
the oars and hold up your hands.”— Page 203. 


WITH LAFAYETTE 


AT YORKTOWN. 


A Story of How Two Boys Joined the 
Continental Army. 


/ 


By JAMES OTIS, 'Sv. 

Author of ** The Search for the SiUerCityf '‘The Castaway 
“ A Runaway Brigf "The Treasure Finder sf etc., etc. 



NOV 14 181"; 


NEW YORK: 

A. L. BUKT, PUBLISHER. 



I 


Copyright 1895, by A. L. Burt. 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT YORRTOWN. 


CHAPTER I. 

A SUDDEN DETEEMINATION. 

“ Come with me, Ned ! Why should we stay here 
in Portsmouth when there are good opportunities 
for fellows to carve their way in the world 

“ I don’t object, providing I can do all the carving, 
Ben Jaffreys; but it sometimes happens, as Sam 
Foulsham learned, that others get the best chance 
in that line, and I hardly fancy being the subject of 
such an operation.” 

“ One would believe you were a coward.” 

‘‘ Perhaps I am.” 

“ But it so happens I know better. There’s not 
another in the province of New Hampshire I would 
ask to join me in this enterprise ” 

“ Perhaps that is because there’s no one else who 
would go on a wild-goose chase as quickly as I.” 

‘‘You do not name it correctly. Why should 
there be anything wild in the idea of joining the 


2 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT TOBETOWN, 


Continental Army ? We are over sixteen years of 
age ” 

“ You have passed it by two months, and I, 
exactly five days.” 

“ We are old enough to be accepted as soldiers 
at all events, and now is surely the time when men 
are most needed.” 

“1 should say they were, otherwise General 
Clinton will declare the war at an end because there 
are no more rebels to be killed.” 

“ Don’t make sport of a serious matter, Ned. 
This is a grav^e subject for you and I.” 

‘‘There can be no question about that,” Ned 
Allen replied with a hearty laugh, “and as for 
seriousness, why more couldn’t be crowded into the 
proposition. As if it was the most simple matter 
possible, you suggest that we travel on foot ” 

“ You own a horse, and so do I,” Ben interrupted. 

“We have the use of two poor ones. I’ll admit ; 
but whether my uncle will care to have his horse 
left where the chances are he’ll never see the beast 
again, remains to be proven. But to outline the 
scheme: You say you intend to make your way 
from here to the Hudson Kiver, overland, and, from 
whatever point you strike there, sail down to the 
headquarters of the army, for the purpose of enlist- 
ing. Why take so long and dangerous a journey ? 
Soldiers are needed here, or in Massachusetts. 
Why not enlist at home ?” 

“ And do nothing more gallant than join in the 
squabble about boundary lines ! I want to accom- 


A SUDDEN DETERMINATION. 


3 


plish something, and what better chance could 
possibly be offered than under Colonel Scammell, 
whom we both know so well 

“ I would like to serve with him,’’ Ned said half 
to himself. 

“ Then start with me to-morrow morning. There 
is no reason why you need say a word to any one. 
Mother is willing I should go ” 

“Because your father is in the light infantry, 
and you would be with him if you joined Colonel 
Scammell’s forces.” 

“Yery true. Your uncle would be opposed to 
your going, because he hopes the king can yet 
reduce us to subjection, therefore it will be all right 
for you to leave secretly.” 

“ When do you go ?” 

“ To-morrow at daybreak. Will you come ?” 

It is more than probable Ned Allen would have 
turned a deaf ear to the proposition just made by 
his friend had he not been so unhappy at home. 
Both his parents were dead, and he had been un- 
willingly admitted as a member of his uncle’s 
family, a fact of which he was frequently reminded. 

This was not the first time the two boys had dis- 
cussed the question of enlisting in the Continental 
Army ; but when the matter had been mentioned 
previously, neither were of lawful age to become 
soldiers, and their conversation was confined to 
“ what they wanted to do,” while now they were 
comparatively at liberty to follow their own 
inclinations. 


4 


WITH LAFA YETTE AT YORKTOWH. 


It was quite natural Ben should be eager to enlist 
in Colonel ScammelPs E’ew Hampshire regiment, 
because his father was an officer of that organiza- 
tion ; but Hed had doubts of their ability to make 
the journey successful!}^, owing to lack of money 
and ignorance regarding such sections of the country 
as it would be necessary to traverse. 

“ It seems to me you should be able to make up 
your mind in less time than you are taking,” Ben 
said impatiently, as his friend stood revolving the 
matter in his mind. “ You have often said you 
would enlist when you were old enough, and ” 

“ I am not hesitating because I am undecided 
whether I will be a soldier ; but questioning if it 
will be possible to make our way from here to the 
Hudson Kiver.” 

“You will never know until you try.” 

“ That is true, and I reckon we’ll make the 
attempt. If we don’t find Colonel Scammell, I can 
enlist in Boston, which will prevent the necessity of 
coming back here again.” 

“ Then you agree to join me ?” Ben cried joy- 
fully. 

“ I will be at your house before daylight.” 

“ Why not come now, and stay all night ?” 

“Because uncle would miss me just so much the 
sooner. If he had an idea of what we propose to 
do, I shouldn’t be allowed to even show my nose 
out of doors for the next week. You must provide 
all the provision ; I will be on hand with my equip- 
ments and the horse, but nothing more.” 


A SUDDEN DETERMINATION. 


5 


“ There shan’t be anything lacking ; I’ll go and 
tell mother, so she can make some arrangements for 
your comfort. To-morrow is the second day of 
August ” 

“ In the year 1781,” Ned added with a laugh. 

“ I wasn’t trying to set the date down in my 
mind; but only mentioned the fact to get some 
idea of when we should arrive at headquarters. 
We ought not to be more than ten days on the 
road.” 

“ If we get there in two months I shall think 
we’re doing fairly well. It can’t be less than three 
hundred miles.” 

“ Not more, and we should be able to ride thirty 
miles each day without hurrying the horses.” 

“ I reckon mine can manage to travel that far 
every twenty-four hours,” Ned replied with a laugh, 
and then he turned away suddenly, for his uncle 
could be seen coming up the street as if in search of 
some one. 

“ The old tory !” Ben muttered, as the gentleman 
in question passed him without a salutation. “ How 
he would rave if he knew what Ned had agreed to 
do ! He won’t find out until it is too late, though, 
and b}’’ this time to-morrow we shall be so far away 
pursuit will be useless.” 

Then he went home to tell his mother he had 
been successful in his mission, which had had no 
other purpose than to persuade Ned to join him in 
the long journey. 

Nearly every one in Portsmouth knew Ben 


6 


WITH LA FA YETTE A T TORKTO WN. 


Jaffreys intended to enlist in Colonel Scammell’s 
light infantry as soon as he was sixteen years of age, 
and the remainder of this last day at home would 
have been spent in taking leave of his friends, but 
for the necessity of secrecy on Ked’s account. 

Therefore it was that Ben and his mother re- 
frained from making mention of the important fact 
that I^ew Hampshire’s quota of men was to be in- 
creased by two, and at an hour before daylight on 
the morning after Ned’s sudden determination to 
enlist he was at his friend’s home as nearly ready 
for the journey as was possible. 

Mrs. Jaffreys had cooked as large a store of 
provisions as the two boys could carry conveniently, 
and when this supply was exhausted they would be 
forced to depend for supplies upon the country 
through which they passed. 

The leave-takings were not prolonged. Half an 
hour after Ned arrived the two boys were riding 
rapidly in the direction of Keene, although the sun 
had not yet shown himself. 

“ It’s lucky your uncle didn’t suspect anything,” 
Ben said when they were several miles from the 
town, and the horses were checked to a slow trot. 

“ He’ll be in fine humor when he discovers that I 
have not only run away, but taken the horse with 
me. I shouldn’t be surprised if he would try to 
have me arrested for stealing.” 

“Much benefit that will be after you have 
enlisted.” 

“ It is a good deal like turning my back on home 


A SUDDEN DETERMINATION 


7 


forever,” and Ned gave vent to a long-drawn sigh. 
“ I haven’t had it so very comfortable since I lived 
with uncle ; but Portsmouth is home, and the time 
must come when I shall want to go back.” 

“ Don’t worry about that at this early day. Once 
we join the army it will be to remain in it as long 
as we are alive and needed, and when we come 
home your uncle may have different ideas.” 

“ The last will never come about unless General 
Washington succeeds in whipping the Britishers.” 

“ And don’t you believe that will happen ?” Ben 
asked, surprised at the tone of his companion’s voice. 

“ I can’t say it looks very much that way just 
now. Our forces are being beaten on every hand, 
and since more are killed than enlist, it can only be 
a question of time when General Washington will 
find himself without men.” 

“ Now you are talking like your uncle.” 

“ Suppose I am, it doesn’t prove that I’m inclined 
to be a tory. A person who won’t see matters as 
they really exist must be an idiot. We know 
Clinton has the whip-hand of General Washington 
just now, and it doesn’t need that one should be a 
philosopher in order to understand what the end 
will be unless there is soon a change for the better.” 

Why are you willing to enlist if you believe the 
Continental Army is so nearly wiped out of exist- 
ence ?” 

‘‘ Because this is the time when soldiers are most 
needed. If every white man in the colonies between 
the ages of sixteen and sixty would come forward 


8 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT YOUKTOWN 


in these dark days, there would soon be a change 
in affairs. I should be ashamed to remain at home 
when it was possible, as now, to enlist.” 

Ben did not continue the conversation. He had 
never considered the situation of affairs so desperate 
for the Continental Army as his friend pictured it, 
and for the first time, perhaps, began to have 
doubts of the final result. 

These gloomy forebodings were soon banished 
from his mind, however, by the exhilaration of the 
morning ride. The sun had risen, all nature was 
rejoicing in the birth of another day, and he could 
not remain insensible to the beauties of the scenery. 

During three hours the two rode on in silence, 
and then, having arrived at- a small stream which 
crossed the- road at a point were the shade of a 
heavy growth of timber offered relief from the now 
fervid rays of the sun, Ned proposed that they halt 
for a short time. 

“We shall cover more ground if the horses are 
not pushed rapidly. We, as well as they, will be 
none the worse for a second breakfast, and I pro- 
pose It be eaten here.” 

Ben was perfectly willing to dismount, and soon 
the two were lying under the trees while their 
horses cropped the luxuriant grass which grew by 
the side of the road. 

For at least the tenth time that morning they 
discussed the route to be pursued after arriving at 
Keene, and then both relapsed into silence born of 
a knowledge of the dangers which might be encoun- 
tered before they were with the army. 


A SUDDEN DETERMINATION. 


9 


Half an hour had passed since they dismounted, 
and Ben was on the point of suggesting that the 
journey be resumed, when Hed suddenly started up 
in the attitude of one who listens intently. 

“ What is the matter ?” Ben asked in a whisper. 

“Can’t you hear the hoof-beats of horses?” 

“Yes,” Ben replied after a brief pause. “There 
is nothing in such a sound to alarm us, for it is 
likely there are more than we who are travelin*^ 
to-day.” 

“ You have no cause for fear, but with me it is 
different.” 

“ How don’t be foolish, Hed ! There isn’t pne 
chance in a thousand your uncle will suspect what 
has been done until we are so far away that 
pursuit will be useless.” 

“ This may be the thousandth chance, and there 
is no reason why we should stay here any longer. 
The horses are in good condition, and we may as 
well push on.” 

As he spoke Hed went toward the animals, 
walking so rapidly that they started slowly down 
the road, unwilling to bring their meal to so speedy 
an end. 

“Be careful, or we shall have a fine chase after 
them !” Ben cried. “ Better let me catch mine 
first ; he is accustomed to have me walk up to him.” 

Hed’s steed was the more spirited of the two, and 
his owner soon realized that it would be well to 
act upon his friend’s suggestion. 

It was not a simple matter to catch either of the 


10 


WITH LAFA YETTE AT YOEKTOWN. 


animals, and Ben did not sncceed in gaining a hold 
upon his bridle until the approaching horsemen 
appeared in view. 

Then he cried sharply : 

‘‘ Look out, Ned ! It is your uncle !” 

The warning came too late. 

Ben seized the rein of his friend’s horse at the 
same moment Jacob Downs dashed up, halting in 
front of his nephew. 

“Banning awa}^- to become a soldier, eh?” the 
angry man cried as he swung his whip viciously, 
missing Ned’s cheek by less than an inch. “So 
you have turned thief in addition to your other 
misdeeds ?” 

“What have I stolen?” and the boy screened 
himself from the threatened attack by stepping 
behind Ben. 

“Whose horse is that?” 

“ Yours, of course.” 

“ Then you must have stolen him, otherwise he 
would now be in my stable.” 

“ I have had your permission to use him, as every 
one in Portsmouth who knows you can testify.” 

“ It is well understood that you were to use him 
only at home ! Give me the bridle ; I will take my 
property back, and as for you, go 3^our way ; I 
wash m3" hands of all responsibility in the matter” 

“ I will not give you the bridle, for it, as well as 
the saddle, is my own, bought with money I have 
earned,” Ben said stoutly as he stepped to the 
horse’s head, where he stood read3" to defend his 
own. 


A SXTDDEN DETERMINATION. 


11 


“ Anything you may have earned belongs to me, 
and if it was of ten times the value 1 should not be 
repaid for what I have spent in your behalf !” the 
enraged man cried as he urged his steed forward, 
regardless of the fact that he was riding Ben down. 

“Watch your chance and get away while I do 
what I can to hinder him,” Ben whispered to his 
friend, and in a louder tone he added to Mr. Downs. 
“ Be careful, sir, or you will do me some harm. 
Keep back, for you are no uncle of mine, and even 
if you were I would protect myself !” 

The boy raised his whip threateningly, causing 
the horse ridden by Mr. Downs to leap back against 
the two who had accompanied the gentleman in his 
pursuit. 

Leaning well forward in his saddle, the angry 
man aimed a blow with his whip at Ben, and his 
horse, now thoroughly alarmed, wheeled suddenly, 
throwing the rider to the ground. 

“ Kow is your chance, Ked !” Ben cried excitedly. 
“ Don’t waste an instant !” 

The path was so narrow that those in the rear 
could not come forward without risk of doing some 
injury to the dismounted man, who had fallen so 
heavily that it was impossible to regain his feet 
quickly, and Ked would not have a better oppor- 
tunity if he was willing to escape on what would 
now be considered by every one as a stolen horse. 

He did not stop to speculate upon the consequences 
of such a course ; but, intent only on flight, obeyed 
his friend’s command. 


12 


WITB LA FA TETTE AT 70RKT0WN. 


Leaping into the saddle, he urged his horse on 
at full speed, and Ben followed before Mr. Downs 
had recovered from the effects of his fall. 

“ Keep straight on,’’ Ben shouted when they had 
fairly started. “ It would be foolish to turn aside 
while they are so close behind.” 

The horses were comparatively fresh, thanks to 
the long halt, and needed but little urging to press 
madly on, regardless of the low-hanging bushes 
which oftentimes threatened to brush the riders 
from the saddles. 

While one might have counted five the boys 
heard no sound from the rear, and then came angry 
cries, mingled with the thud of horses’ feet, telling 
that Ked’s uncle was not willing to admit himself 
beaten until after a severe struggle. 

“We can give them the slip if we favor the 
animals,” Ben shouted. “Don’t press your horse 
too hard at first, and we shall win the race !” 

“ Now that I have really turned thief I am bound 
to escape, no matter what happens,” Ned replied 
despondently, urging his steed to renewed exer- 
tions. 

“ You are nothing of the kind,” Ben cried angrily. 
“ There isn’t a man or boy in Portsmouth who 
would have done differently under the circum- 
stances.” 

Ben used his whip until he was where he could 
lay his hand on his companion’s arm, and then said 
soothingly : 

“ Do as I propose, Ned. Keep the animals well 



Leaping into the saddle Ned urged his horse on at full speed and Ben followed 
before Mr. Do. . ns had recovered from his fall,— Page 12. 






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A SUDDEN DETERMINATION. 


13 


in hand to prevent their being blown, and we shall 
escape with but little trouble. Above all things, 
don’t let what he said cause you to admit being a 
thief, for you are not. He couldn’t have taken the 
horse back without a bridle, and he intended to 
deprive you of both saddle and bridle, which are 
yours, no matter if he has provided you with food.” 

‘‘ I have earned everything •! ever received from 
Jacob Downs !” 

“We all know that, and there isn’t a person in 
Portsmouth who will say you have done wrong in 
taking the horse. Don’t bother with such thoughts ; 
but think only of giving him the slip, which can’t 
be done if we ride at this mad pace. Pull up a bit, 
and take it more leisurely.” 

Hed suffered himself to be guided by his friend, 
and soon the two were traveling at such a pace as 
only sufficed to keep them a short distance in 
advance of their pursuers. 


14 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT TORKTOWN. 


CHAPTER II. 

A SrSPICIOUS ACQUAINTANCE. 

Until the encounter with his uncle, Hed Allen 
had been in the highest spirits ; but now he was 
most despondent. The idea that he had been 
charged with stealing was sufficient to rob the ride 
of all its exhilaration, and despite Ben’s arguments, 
he believed his acquaintances at Portsmouth would 
call him a thief. 

After a short time, however, he lost a certain 
amount of gloominess in the excitement of the 
chase. 

Ben’s idea had been to keep about a mile in 
advance of the pursuers, allowing the horses to 
travel at a leisurely pace lest they should become 
exhausted if pressed to their best gait, and thus be 
unable to answer the demands of their riders in case 
a short burst of speed should be necessary to 
safety. 

With this plan in view the boys listened intently 
as they advanced, and flattered themselves they 
were carrying out Ben’s idea with great nicety, 
when suddenly the sound of hoof-beats in the rear 
ceased entirely. 


A SlTSPIOIOirS ACQdAIJVTAJ^CK 


15 


a in luck,” Ben shouted triumphantly, after 

halting to make certain nothing could be heard 
from the pursuers. ‘‘ Your uncle has at last decided 
that a stern chase is likely to be a long one, and has 
acted wisely by turning back. Now, at least, we 
have nothing to fear.’’ 

“ I’m not so positive of that. He isn’t a man who 
would turn back without more of an effort to get 
the horse than has already been made, and perhaps 
this halt means new danger for me.” 

“I don’t understand how that can be possible. 
Unless they follow there will be no chance of over- 
taking us.” 

“ Uncle Jacob knows the road better than we do. 
I think I saw a well-defined path leading to the 
right, not more than a. mile back from here.” 

“ Well, what has that to do with us ?” 

“ It may be a short cut, and we shall soon find 
them ahead.” 

“ I never thought of that possibility,” Ben replied 
in dismay, and then added, as the frown passed 
from his face : “ It will do him precious little 

good to try to head us off. He won’t dare attempt 
anything against me, and I promise to ride them 
down if they stand in my way.” 

“ I don’t think he will make any effort to use force. 
It will be a simple matter to have me arrested, if he 
can warn the authorities at Manchester before we 
arrive.” 

This was an idea which had never occurred to Ben, 
and that it alarmed him could readily be seen. 


16 


WITH LA FA TETTE AT TO UKTO WN. 


“ That is exactly what Jacob Downs proposes to 
do ! ]^ow what’s to be done ?” 

‘‘ Look for a short cut ourselves, and ride around 
Manchester instead of passing through it. We 
don’t know the country ; but if you are willing to 
stay by me I’ll take any chance, however desperate, 
rather than be forced to go back to Portsmouth.” 

“ Of course I’ll stay by you,” Ben replied 
promptly. “You shall take command from this 
moment, and I’ll obey orders strictly.” 

All evidences of despondency disappeared from 
Ned’s face in the excitement of thwarting the 
relative whom he considered an enemy, and for the 
time being he forgot that he had made it possible 
for his acquaintances to call him a thief. 

Biding slowly in advance, he scanned the appar- 
ently unbroken forest on either hand, until arriving 
at a point where a narrow path led from the road 
to the left, and into this he guided his horse. . 

“ What have you struck here ?” Ben asked as he 
followed his companion’s example. 

“I don’t know. It takes us out of the direct 
course to Keene, and that is sufficient just now.” 

“ But we may find ourselves where it will be im- 
possible to get back,” Ben cried in alarm. 

“ Perhaps, but yet I don’t think it likely. I said 
I was willing to take any chances rather than be 
sent back, and there is no need for you to follow if 
you prefer to keep on.” 

“You know I wouldn’t leave you; but I can’t 
help wondering if this is a wise course to pursue.” 


A SUSPICIOUS ACQUAINTANCE, 


17 


“ It is the first path leading from Manchester 
that we have seen, and I don’t believe it safe to 
continue on any longer in the hope of finding a 
better way, for then it might be impossible to re- 
trace our steps.” 

“ Kide on ; I won’t say another word against any- 
thing you may do.” 

Ned urged his horse to a sharp trot, and during 
nearly an hour the fugitives continued on, often- 
times obliged to bend low in the saddle lest the 
overhanging trees should dismount them. 

Then both the boys pulled their steeds up sud- 
denly, for before them stood a small log hut, and it 
was evident the path they had been pursuing came 
to an end here. 

There was no sign of life in the tiny clearing, and 
Ned rode entirely around the building twice, seeing 
no exit save a path leading to the right, evidently 
toward Manchester. 

“It’s positive we can’t go much further in this 
direction unless we’re willing to make our way 
through the woods, and I’m not so certain that 
won’t be as wise a course as we can pursue. It 
isn’t many miles to the Nashua road, and we shan’t 
be traveling a great distance out of our way to go 
throuo^h that town. It is time the horses had 
dinner, and we may as well make a long halt here.” 

Ben was out of the saddle before his friend ceased 
speaking, and the animals were unharnessed at 
once ; but this time the boys thought it prudent to 
hobble them in case a sudden departure became 
necessary. 


18 


WITH LAFA 7ETTE AT TORKTOWN. 


Stretched at full length on the grass, the fugitives 
discussed their situation in all its bearings, as a 
means of deciding upon their course after leaving 
this place. They paid no heed to the possibility that 
the owner of the hut might return at any moment, 
for the appearance of the building on the outside 
gave evidence that it had long been unoccupied. 

Therefore it was that they were almost surprised 
when a man, looking as if he might be a trapper, 
and armed with a rifle which had evidently seen no 
slight amount of service, came suddenly out from 
the thicket, where it was quite probable he had been 
spying upon his unbidden guests before making 
their acquaintance. 

He nodded familarly, looked critically at the 
horses, and then said as he threw himself on the 
ground by Ben’s side, holding his weapon as if 
fancying there might be some sudden and immediate 
occasion for using it : 

“Powerful warm to-day, eh? Have you traveled 
far, eh ?” 

“ Not many miles,” Ned replied quickly. “ Ho 
you live here ?” 

“Yes, when I ain’t somewhere else. The old 
place looks deserted, eh ?” 

“ It does for a fact.” 

“ Didn’t you try to get in, eh ?” 

“ No ; the doors appeared to be fastened, and we 
hadn’t any business meddling with other people’s 
property. 

“You’re might v honest, eh? Well, I reckon it’s 


A SUSPICIOUS ACQUAINTANCE, 


19 


a heap more pleasant outside. Where are you 
bound, eh 

The boys were not disposed to be over-communi- 
cative with this stranger ; but he persisted in his 
questions, concluding each one with an “ eh T that 
irritated Ned, although he could not have explained 
why, until the fugitives told so much of their story 
as related to their intention of enlisting in the 
Continental army. 

The proprietor of the cabin, while asking ques- 
tions and listening to the replies, appeared as if 
expecting some one, and by the time the boys had 
confided in him as far as they thought advisable, a 
peculiar cry, similar to that of a bird in the dis- 
tance, caused him to leap to his feet. 

“ I reckon you’d better stop with me to-night,” 
he said hurriedly. “ I’ve got a friend close at hand, 
who is countin’ on stayin’ here till mornin’ ; but 
there’s plenty room for all hands, eh ?” 

Before either of the boys could reply he had dis- 
appeared among the underbrush, and Ben said in a 
tone of content : 

“ I guess we can’t do better than accept the invi- 
tation. It’ll be more comfortable than laying out in 
the woods, as would be necessary if we leave the 
traveled path, and the horses will be safer in the 
clearing.” 

“ I can’t say why I distrust that fellow ; but there 
is something about him that doesn’t seem just 
right.” 

“ What is it ?” Ben asked with a laugh. 


20 


WITH LAFA TETTE AT YORKTOWN. 


don’t know.” 

‘‘ Then it can’t be serious enough to prevent our 
taking advantage of his offer of a night’s lodging. 
Besides, by staying here we can most likely learn 
how to reach the ISTashua road by the shortest cut.” 

Ned made no reply and a few moments later the 
sound of voices told that the owner of the hut and 
his friend were approaching. 

The second comer was less pleasing to look upon 
than the first. He also was well armed, and 
evidently tried very hard to appear friendly ; but 
during the few moments he talked with the boys, 
Ned observed that never once did he look directly 
at them. His eyes were fastened on the horses 
more frequently than on any other object, but it 
seemed almost as if he feared to gaze even at them 
many seconds at a time. 

The proprietor of the building now began to act 
the part of host in a very energetic fashion. He 
opened the doors ; built a fire, and soon a savory 
odor arose on the air, telling of preparations for a 
hearty meal. 

The fact of his having fresh meat on hand was 
proof that he had not long been away from home 
when the boys arrived. 

The second comer did not prolong his efforts at 
conversation ; it was as if after the first odd 
attempt his powers in that line were exhausted, and 
he remained silent, as did also the boys, since they 
did not care to discuss their own affairs in the 
presence of a stranger. 


A SUSPIGIOUJS ACQUAINTAI^CE. 


21 


The summons to dinner broke what was beginning 
to be an almost painful silence, and once inside the 
building the host did not allow the conversation to 
flag. 

While helping the guests liberally to bear steaks 
cooked to a turn, and appetizing despite the season, 
he talked rapidly ; but never a word was spoken by 
his friend. 

“ Your bosses will be safe here,” he said to Ben 
when the meal had come to a close, “ an’ you can 
make your bed anywhere on the floor, which is the 
best I’ve got, eh ?” 

“ It seems as if we ought to travel further to- 
night,” Ben replied, noting the troubled look on 
Ned’s face. 

“ What’s the use, eh ? You couldn’t get so very 
far, an’ by stayin’ here will be ready for an early 
start in the mornin’, eh ?” 

Ned was on the point of saying that they could 
not remain ; but refrained as he realized that it was 
impossible to give any good reason for going so 
soon, and, since he did not speak, Ben accepted the 
invitation. 

Then the host excused himself on the plea of 
visiting some traps in the vicinity ; his friend accom- 
panied him in obedience to a gesture, and the boys 
were left alone once more. 

“ You believe we had better push on ?” Ben said 
with a smile. 

“ I suppose I am more foolish than ever because 
of having got mixed up this morning by uncle. 


2'Z WITH LAFA TETTE AT YORKTOWN. 

There is no reason why we shouldn’t stop, and when 
the men come back we will get them to direct us by 
the nearest way to the Nashua road. Say, what 
kind of traps can that fellow be setting at this time 
of year f ’ 

“ Still suspicious ? Of course he hasn’t any traps 
set, but made that as an excuse to leave us. We 
needn’t trouble about him, for it isn’t likely he 
would do us any harm, so let’s attend to the horses, 
and turn in for a nap. The more sleep we get now 
the less we shall need to-morrow night.” 

Ned did not think it would be possible to “ bottle 
up sleep ” just then, as his friend suggested ; but he 
went “through the motion,” and, an hour later, 
was greatly surprised to learn that he had been in 
dreamland so long. 

Ben was on the floor by his side, breathing 
heavily, and he was about to close his eyes again in 
order to finish the nap, when he noted the fact that 
it was already growing dark. 

“ I reckon the horses need watering by this time,” 
he muttered as he rose to his feet, “ and if we don’t 
attend to them pretty soon it will be too dark to see 
our way about. Hi ! Ben ! Turn out, and give me 
a hand !” 

“ What — Who — Have the men come back ?” 
Ben asked in a sleepy tone as he assumed an upright 
position. 

“ No, I reckon not ; I don’t hear or see anything 
of them. We have slept quite a spell, and it’s high 
time to make ready for the night.” 


A SUSPICIOUS ACQUAINTANCE. 


23 


“ I wonder how long those fellows count an stay- 
ing away 

“ It’s likely they’ll be here before dark,” and Ben 
stepped out of doors, adding as he did so, “ I can’t 
see the horses ! I thought they were hobbled so it 
would be impossible to stray very far.” 

“ So they were ; 1 looked both of them over be- 
fore we had supper, or whatever the meal may be 
called.” 

Instead of replying, Hed walked to that part of 
the clearing where the animals had last been seen, 
and then directly across to the path which the boys 
supposed led to Manchester. Here he halted an in- 
stant, bent over, picked up something from the 
ground, and, holding it above his head, cried 
angrily : 

“ Here are the ropes we hobbled the horses with, 
and now it isn’t hard to understand why those 
fellows were so anxious we should stop with them 
a spell !” 

“ What do you men ?” Ben asked in bewilderment 
as he went toward his friend. 

“ It is simple enough. While we were sleeping 
those fellows stole both horses, and are a dozen 
miles from here by this time.” 

“ Stole them ? Are you certain ?” 

“ Here are our halters, and if you look at these 
tracks it won’t take long to learn that the animals 
went out at a sharp trot, side by side, as wouldn’t 
have been the case had they strayed, or got fright- 
ened. Besides, the fact of their having been set 
loose shows it wasn’t an accident.” 


24 


WITH LA FA TETTE AT YORKTOWH, 


Ben. looked around as if completely mystified, 
and then asked helplessly ; 

“ What is to be done 

“Walk, I reckon, if we count on ever seeing 
Colonel Scammell, for there would be no use in 
chasing those fellows while they are mounted and 
we on foot.’’ 

“But we can’t walk all the way from here to 
the Hudson Kiver.” 

“ I had rather do it than go back to Portsmouth.” 

“ I won’t go home, after having started, without 
first enlisting ; but we must have horses.” 

“ Where can we get them 

“ I don’t know.” 

“Neither does any one else,” Ned replied with a 
laugh expressive ‘of anger rather than mirth. “ It 
surely is a case of walking if we go on, and, for that 
matter, so it is if we go back.” 

The trail made by the stolen animals could be 
read without difiiculty by boys who had been accus- 
tomed to stu(l3ung such things all their lives, and 
when Ben walked up the path half a dozen yards 
he understood what had occurred quite as well as if 
he had seen the thieves when they took their 
departure. 

By this time he was in such a frame of mind as 
prompted him to consider the future, and he asked : 

“ Have you any idea what we had better do ? Of 
course we won’t go back, or try to follow those 
fellows, for most likely they have gone directly to 
Manchester.” 


A StrSFlOlOUS AOQI/AIJVTAJVC^:. 


25 


“ In which case Uncle Jacob is likely to get his 
horse with but little trouble. I have started to 
enlist under Colonel Scammell, and intend to do it 
if I walk every foot of the way. I ’’ 

The sound of footsteps caused him to look up 
suddenly, and to his great surprise he saw coming 
down the path a boy about his own age, clad in an 
old suit of homespun clothes which were hardly 
more than a collection of rags, and carrying a 
musket but little less dilapidated than his garments. 

The newcomer was quite as astonished at this 
meeting as was either Ben or Ned, and for an instant 
acted very much as if about to retrace his steps. 

Halloo !” Ben cried in a friendly tone, and the 
stranger seemed to be fully assured by the voice. 
“ Do you live here 

“ Not much I don’t.” 

“ Do you know who does ?” 

“Sim Perkins claims to own the place; but I 
don’t reckon he’ll be ’round here a great deal after 
this.” 

“Why not?’ 

Instead of replying the boy looked critically at 
the strangers, and then asked hesitatingly ; 

“ Say, where’d you come from ?” 

“ Portsmouth.” 

“ What you doin’ here ?” 

“We stopped to rest our horses.” 

“ Goin’ far ?” 

Ned hesitated as if unwilling to answer the 
question, and Ben, who liked the appearance of the 


26 


WITH LA FA YETTE A T YORKTO WN. 


stranger despite his tattered clothes and wrecked 
gun, said promptly : 

“We are going to enlist.” 

“ On which side 

“ Which side Ben repeated in astonishment. 
“ Do you suppose fellows from Portsmouth would 
go into the king’s army ?” 

“ There’s a sight of ’em not far from there that 
have done it.” 

“Well, we’re not that kind. We shall enlist 
under Colonel Scammell, if we can find him.” 

Again the stranger examined the two before him 
minutely, and was evidently well pleased with the 
result, for he said more cordially than before : 

“You’re the right stuff; but you’ve come to a 
mighty queer place for a halt.” 

“ What’s the matter here?” 

“IS'othin’ when Sim ain’t home; but when he is, 
fellers like you had best keep away.” 

“Why?” 

“ Because he’s the worst tory ever breathed. 
Folks say he’s been off spyin’ round the country for 
the Britishers, an’ only come back this time when 
things got so hot for him he didn’t dare stay near 
Boston outside the redcoats’ camp. He’s gone 
now, for good I reckon, seein’s how he an’ Bart 
Hodgkins had a couple of bosses. Where he got 
’em beats me, for there isn’t a decent man in these 
parts would sell him one, no matter how much 
he money might offer.” 

“ The horses he has got now didn’t cost him very 
much,” Hed said grimly. “ He stole them from us.” 


JOSH HIGGINS. 


27 


CHAPTEE III. 

JOSH HIGGINS. 

The conversation between the would-be soldiers 
and their new acquaintance was prolonged until 
after the sun had set, and then all three went into 
the log house for the night. 

Josh Higgins, as the stranger called himself, 
represented that he “ jest lived ’round,” with no 
relatives so far as he knew, and an ardent desire to 
become a soldier. He had been “ workin’ his board ” 
with a farmer who lived a few miles from the 
clearing, but despite all his efforts could not earn 
sufficient to purchase the equipments necessary to a 
recruit. 

“ I reckon I could fight jest as well in this rig 
as if I had all the gold-lace General Clinton owns 
tied ’round me,” he said grimly ; “ but them as 
knows, say I’ve got to take a better gun, a better 
suit of clothes, better shoes, an’ I reckon, cordin’ to 
all acounts. I’ll have to fix up a better face before I 
can ’list.” 

“ I know it is necessary to own equipments,” Hed 
said musingly ; “ but I can’t believe a fellow would 
be rejected in case he was too poor to buy them. 


28 


WITH LAFA TETTE AT YOUETO WN. 


If you have no home, why not join us? We shall 
be forced to walk from here to headquarters ; but I 
guess we can pull through all right, and at this 
season of the year it isn’t a great hardship to sleep 
out of doors.” 

“ If you’ll take me I’ll be glad of the chance ; 
it’s jest what I’ve been wantin’ for a good while.” 

“ Of course we’ll take you,” Ben said quickly and 
decidedly. “ It will be mighty handy to have you 
with us while we’re in this part of the country.” 

“ I’m pretty well posted up Bennington way, 
where I reckon Sim Perkins and Bart Hodgkins 
will stop a spell. Say, it wouldn’t be a bad job to 
ffet them bosses back ? I’d like to make a try 
for it!” 

« Why do you think the thieves will go to 
Bennington ?” 

“ ’Cause a couple of tories live there, an’ are great 
chums with Sim. He’s most allers dodgin’ ’round 
their place.” 

“If we should overtake the fellows I promise to 
get my property,” Ben said with a threatening 
gesture. 

“ Sim ain’t no ways easy to handle when his blood 
is up,” J osh replied warmly. “ Even if he is sich a 
scoundrel, he can shoot with the best, an’ it isn’t 
often he misses, so you don’t want to be too brash. 
Let’s see what he’s got to eat in his shanty, an’ 
cook some kind of a supper.” 

The boys acted upon their new friend’s sugges- 
tion, and soon had the best of evidence that he was 


JOSH HIGGINS. 


29 


a good cook, for he set a most appetizing meal be- 
fore them, helping himself with a liberal hand to 
the tory’s provisions, of which there was ample 
store in the cabin. 

Josh was in high spirits after Ned claimed that 
he would be allowed to enlist even though not fully 
equipped, and during the remainder of the evening 
entertained his friends with stories of Sim Perkins’ 
villainy, or Bart Hodgkins’ meanness. 

“ If we go for soldiers we shall see that precious 
pair again, or I’m mistaken,” he declared emphatic- 
ally, and then, laying down on the bare floor, fell 
asleep so quickl^^ it seemed as if the last words must 
have been spoken while he was in dreamland. 

Ben and Ned night have slumbered until a very 
late hour next morning but for Josh. That young 
gentleman aroused them before it was yet light, and 
even then had a hearty breakfast cooked. 

“ I allowed we’d better get all we could out of 
Sim Perkins before leavin’,” he said in a matter-of- 
fact tone, so I overhauled the stuff, an’ have fixed 
up a pretty fair spread. He’ll be surprised at the 
way his grub has disappeared, if he comes here 
again.” 

“ You must have been awake half the night to 
cook all this,” Ned said in surprise. 

“ I reckon I ain’t lost much sleep. A fellow like 
me, what’s been knocked ’round from pillar to post, 
gets into the habit of movin’ pretty lively in the 
mornin’. We oughter be a good ten miles on our 
way before the sun is very high ; but it won’t be 
done unless you fellers pitch into the grub.” 


30 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT 70RKT0WN. 


“ If you hold out as you’ve begun, we shall get 
over the ground mighty fast,” Ben said approvingly, 
and after a hurried toilet in the cool water of a 
spring near-by the three boys did full justice to the 
meal. 

Josh claimed to be able to lead them through the 
woods to any desired spot, and the gray light of the 
coming dawn had but just appeared in the eastern 
sky when they set out on what was to prove a 
wearisome journey. 

The new member of the party seemed only happy 
when exerting himself, and Ben and Ned traveled 
twice the distance on this day that they would have 
done alone, because of his continual urging to “ walk 
a little further before halting.” 

At nightfall a shelter of boughs were put up, and 
the would-be soldiers, weary from the fatiguing 
tramp, slept as only tired boys can. 

During three days Josli led them on the way, 
and at the third camp made a startling and unex- ' 
pected movement. 

“We’re about six miles from Bennington, an’ 
before noon to-morrow I’ll show you the place 
where I wouldn’t be surprised to find Sim Pefkins 
an’ Bart.” 

“ Are we so near as that ?” Ben cried in surprise. 

“ It doesn’t seen possible we can be more than half- 
way.” 

“ That’s ’cause you’ve kept movin’,” Josh replied. 

“ The great thing is to keep movin' no matter what 
you’ve got to do, an’ the job is done mighty quick.” 


JOSH HIQQIN8. 


31 : 

The travelers were too tired to spend very much 
time in conversation after supper had been eaten, 
and soon they were enjoying the perfect rest of the 
weary, happy in the belief that there was a possi- 
bility of depriving the thieves of their plunder. 

When the sun rose again, awakening Ben and 
Ned by flashing its rays in their faces. Josh was 
nowhere to be seen. 

From the first moment he joined the party Master 
Higgins had been foremost wherever work was to 
be found, never waiting to be reminded of his duty, 
but always taking the lead. Therefore it was that 
both the boys were decidedly astonished when 
their cheery companion was conspicuous only by his 
absence. 

“ What can have happened Ben asked in per- 
plexity “It is certain Josh wouldn’t attempt to 
take any advantage of us, and yet why isn’t he here ? 
I have gotten so accustomed to seeing breakfast 
ready when I open my eyes, that it seems odd to 
find matters in this condition.” 

“ Perhaps he has grown tired of doing all the 
work,” Ned suggested, after assuring himself that 
Josli* was not in the vicinity. “ 1 can’t say I should 
blame him very much if he had, for, as a matter of 
fact, Ben, we have allowed him to wait upon us like 
a servant.” 

“ He would do it, despite all we could say, there- 
fore I don’t think we can be blamed. Something 
serious must have happened, or he would be here 
now.” 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT TORKTOWN. 




“ I don’t believe he is in any trouble, for he went 
away of his own will, it is evident, otherwise we 
would have been awakened by his cries for help.” 

“ Unless some enemy jumped in on him so sud- 
denly that there wasn’t even time to make a noise.” 

“ What enemies could he have in this section of 
the country ?” 

“That’s a question I can’t answer; but there 
surely is some reason for his leaving so suddenly.” 

“ I don’t deny that, and we shall soon know what 
it is, I reckon. Let’s get breakfast, for he’ll be 
hungry when he comes back.” 

Ben was inclined to take a despondent view of 
the case. He did not believe Josh had thus absented 
himself voluntarily, and was almost angry because 
Ned treated the matter so lightly. 

The larder was not so well filled as when they 
were in Sim Perkins’ clearing, yet there was sufii- 
cient wholesome food, and this was warmed in front 
of a small blaze, for the boys had halted in a thicket 
so dense that it would have been dangerous to 
make a campfire of ordinary size. 

An hour passed, and Josh remained absent. 

Ned understood by the look on his friend’s jface 
that Ben was growing thoroughly alarmed regard- 
ing the missing member of the party, and as a 
means of diverting his thoughts said with a mirth- 
less laugh : 

“Pd like to know whether Uncle Jacob saw Sim 
Perkins with our horses.” 

> “ He must have done so if the thieves went 
through Manchester.” 


JOSH HIGGINS. 


33 


If they met, Til guarantee Sim and his precious 
friend lost their plunder. Uncle Jacob would follow 
him a good deal further than we intend to go, 
rather than lose the animal. At any event 1 shall 
always be called a thief by those who know of what 
I did.” 

‘‘I thought you had given over that nonsense 
some time ago,” Ben said petulantly. “ No one in 
Portsmouth would call you such a name.” 

“ But as a matter of fact I did really steal the 
horse.” 

“ I don’t think so ; he was 3 ’^ours to all intents 
and purposes, and but for the fact that you proposed 
to enlist in the Continental army^ Jacob Downs 
would never have made a fuss.” 

‘‘I reckon he wouldn’t have given me permission 
to go very far from home, because in my absence it 
would be necessary to hire a man about the place.” 

‘‘ And by saving the wages of one, you fairly 
earned the horse, which was considered yours by 
everybody.” 

“ That is looking at the matter from my stand- 
point, but Uncle Jacob would give a very different 
complexion to the story if he told it,” and now it 
was Ned’s turn to grow despondent, as he always 
did whenever the subject was discussed. 

Fortunately for both the boys the tide of their 
thoughts was soon turned. Before Ben could reply 
to his friend’s remark a rustling was heard amid the 
foliage, and a few seconds later Josh Higgins, look- 
ing as happy and contented as ever, stood before 
them. 


34 WITH LAFA TETTE A T TORKTO WN. 

“ Where have you been Ben cried. “ I feared 
some one had carried you away.” 

“ If there was a chance of anything like that, I 
guess I could make enough noise to waken you 
fellers before bein’ lugged very far.” 

“ But where have you been ?” 

“ Over to the town. It was a good night for 
scouting around, and I thought I’d take advantage 
of it.” 

“ Have you walked six miles from sunrise ?” Hed 
asked in surprise. 

“ To go and come makes a good twelve,” Josh 
replied with a cheery smile as he made a vigorous 
attack upon the eatables before him ; “ but I 
haven’t done it since sunrise. I started about mid- 
night.” 

“ Why didn’t you tell us you were going ?” 

“ Because I wasn’t certain the tories were at the 
house, and in case of their having gone on there 
was no reason why all three should take the 
tramp.” 

“ Did you really find them Ben cried excitedly. 

“That’s what I did. Leastways, I saw your 
bosses, and reckon the thieves were in the house, 
though it didn’t seem jest wise to make certain 
about it.” 

It required no slight amount of time for Josh to 
tell his story, interrupted as he frequently was by 
his companions, and while industriously engaged in 
devouring the food. It was finished at last, how- 
ever, at the same time the breakfast came to an end, 
and was in brief as follows : 


JOSE HIGGINS. 


35 


He had arrived at the house where he believed 
the tories would make a long halt, within two hours 
after leaving the camp, and his first care was to 
visit the stable. There he saw, in addition to 
several other animals, the horses ridden by Sim 
Perkins and Hodgkins on the afternoon they so 
hurriedly left the clearing. 

From the appearance of the steeds he judged that 
they had not been there more than a few hours, 
therefore it was reasonable to suppose the visitors 
would remain until the following evening, however 
brief a stay the}^ had determined upon. 

“ I tried to get inside the bouse, but couldn’t,” 
he said in conclusion. “ It don’t make any great 
matter, for we’ve got nothin’ to do with that part 
of the premises. My plan is to go over after dark, 
an’ lay ’round till there’s a clear chance for runnin’ 
away with the bosses. I’m allowin’ to get one for 
myself at the same time.” 

“ Another case of horse-stealing,” Hed said in a 
low tone, as if speaking to himself. 

“ I don’t call it so,” Josh retorted promptly. 
“ They are tories, and we, soldiers of the Conti- 
nental army ” 

“ Since when 

“We shall be as soon as we find a chance to 
enlist, so it amounts to the same thing. To take an 
extra boss from the stable would be what’s called 
cripplin’ the enemy, an’ you’ll see me cripple him 
to-night, unless I’m raakin’ a big mistake.” 

“ I am . not the one who should say anything 


36 


WITH LAFA TETTE AT YORKTOWN. 


about what you propose doing, since I had no better 
excuse than you.” 

“ So far, I claim there has been no crime commit- 
ted,” Ben cried warmly, “ and if Josh sees a chance 
to get hold of another animal, I believe it is right 
to do it, since in such a way he is serving the Conti- 
nental forces.” 

“ How do you make that out ?” 

“ He will simply be adding three able-bodied 
soldiers to the army considerably sooner that it 
could otherwise be done. Wait until we are home 
again before you accuse yourself any more, and 
then by what we have accomplished can be deter- 
mined the degree of your guilt. Just now I want 
to hear Josh’s plans for the evening.” 

“It won’t take long to explain ’em. We’ll sneak 
along that way this afternoon, and when the tories 
are tucked up in bed, get the bosses, that’s all.” 

“ Yes, that’s all just now,” Hed said with a hearty 
laugh ; “ but there may be a disagreeable story to 
tell later.” 

“You think I can’t get ’em ?” 

“ I didn’t say that ; but I fancy it won’t be quite 
such a simple matter as you make out.” 

“I could have brought ’em with me, an’ not half 
tried, this mornin’ !” 

“ Why didn’t you do it ?” 

“Because they looked as if they’d been used hard, 
an’ I’d rather wait till they was fresh.” 

Josh treated the whole affair, fraught with 
danger as it must necessarily be, in such a matter- 


JOSH HIQQINS. 


37 


of-fact manner that his companions laughed loud 
and long, greatly to his mystification. 

Finally Ned explained the reason for his mirth, 
and he replied quietly : 

“ I^d be ashamed of myself if I couldn’t get the 
best of Sim Perkins. He thinks he’s terrible smart ; 
but if I once have the chance to be a soldier. I’ll 
show him how much he knows.” 

“You won’t probably have an opportunity. Josh. 
Soldiers are not allowed to skirmish around as they 
please, but are kept together under the strictest 
discipline.” 

“ Then I won’t enlist, but go it on my own hook 
for a spell. I’m just achin’ to give Sim a lesson !” 

“ I reckon getting the horses from him will be 
enough.” 

“ Not half what he deserves,” Josh replied as he 
stretched himself out at full length under the shelter 
of the lean-to, and an instant later his loud breath- 
ing told that he was adding to the credit side of his 
“ sleep account.” 

Ben and Ned passed the time as best they could 
until noon, and then the young gentleman who had 
really taken command of the party awakened. 

“ I reckon we might as well be movin’,” he said 
as he rose to his feet. “ Do you fellers want any- 
thing more to eat ?” 

“That’s about all we’ve been doing this fore- 
noon ; but you’d better have a couple of bites,” 
Ned replied. 

“ I can do that as we’re joggin’ along.” 


38 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT TORKTOWN. 


As usual Josh took the greater portion of the 
burden on his own shoulders, despite the protests of 
his companions, and trudged silently on in advance, 
turning neither to the right nor left, so familiar 
with the course had he become by the night’s 
excursion. 

Neither of the others ventured to speak while he 
remained silent, for they did not know but that 
there was a necessity for caution, and well it was 
they followed the example set by Josh, for after 
traveling nearly two hours he suddenly held up his 
hand in warning, as the sound of human voices came 
from a thicket a short distance in advance. 

The boy had led them within fifty yards of the 
stable they intended to visit, and halted where he 
could overlook the clearing immediately in front of it. 

Ben and Ned were instantly plunged into a state 
of highest excitement, as, peering through the 
foliage, they saw, not more than twenty feet away, 
Sim Perkins and Bart Hodgkins. 

The men were seated on a log smoking content- 
edly, and glancing from time to time at the house 
a short distance beyond, where were a number of 
horsemen apparently just starting on a journey. 

“ They’re tories, the whole nest of ’em, an’ some- 
time I’ll be the one to help bag jest sich a crowd,” 
Josh whispered as he stole silently back to his 
friends. 

Ned motioned for him to cease speaking, for the 
two in whom he was particularly interested were 
conversing earnestly, and there was a possibility of 
overhearing the words. 


JOSH HIQOim, 


39 


“You’re gettin’ weak-kneed, Bart, that’s what’s 
the matter, eh ?” Sim was saying. “ It ain’t half so 
skeery as stayin’ ’round here jest now, eh 'i It 
won’t be much of a job to find the Frenchman, an’ 
once we can get on the right side of him, the rest 
will be easy as rollin’ off a log, eh?” 

“ But will it pay ?” 

“ Pay ? There’s a fortune in it. Don’t you 
reckon Lord Conwallis would jest about give all his 
old boots if he could bag Lafayette, eh ? Once that 
Frenchman’s out of the way it wouldn’t be half a 
job to wipe out all the Continentals in the south, 
eh ? I tell you it’s worth more’n hangin’ ’round 
where there’s chance of gettin’ our necks stretched, 
an’ not a bit of danger, eh ?” 

“ It’s a long journey.” 

“We’d take a longer one if some of these rebels 
’round here knowed all we’d done, eh ?” 

“ Look here, Sira !” Hodgkins cried angrily as he 
rose to his feet, “ I won’t have you forever harpin’ 
on what we’ve done. There’s no use speakin’ ’bout 
it when somebody might hear.” 

“ I reckon we’re far enough from the house so’s 
to talk without fear, eh ? Kow don’t run like a 
partridge, scared at your own shadder, till you’ve 
made up your mind whether you’ll come with me 
on this trip or not, eh ?” 

“ Of course I'll go with you ; but there must be 
less of your funny talk, for I don’t like it,” and be- 
fore Sim could reply his friend was walking rapidly 
toward the building. 


40 


WITH LAFA YETTE AT YORKTOWN. 


CHAPTEK lY. 

A RAID. 

Not until after several moments had elapsed was 
the full significance of the words understood by the 
listeners, and then they glanced at each other as if 
animated by the same thought. 

There was no opportunity to discuss the matter, 
for Sim Perkins still remained on the log smoking 
as contentedly as if thoughts of treachery had 
never entered his mind, and the boys were so near 
that he might have heard a whisper, unless, as when 
Josh had spoken, it was unusually soft and guarded. 

They had learned that which would be of more 
value than the horses the men had stolen, provided 
it could be told at headquarters within a reasonable 
length of time, and all three were literally trembling 
with excitement as they realized how greatly they 
might aid the struggling patriots by divulging Sim’s 
secret. 

Josh was particularly delighted at having over- 
heard the conversation, for, as he argued to himself, 
he could hardly be refused the privilege of enlisting, 
whether equipped or not, when it was learned that 
through his assistance the spies’ plot had been dis- 
covered. 


A RAID. 


41 


During fully an hour the boys were forced to 
stand silent and motionless in the thicket, for Sim 
remained that length of time apparently revolving 
the plan in his mind, and before they were at liberty 
to assume more comfortable positions the guests at 
the house had departed. 

When the last horseman rode out of the clearing 
Sim went leisurely toward the building, and those 
in the thicket retreated a few yards where the foli- 
age was so dense that they could remain hidden, 
even though a searcher should pass within half a 
dozen feet. 

Josh was the first to break the long silence, and 
he said in a tone of mingled triumph and glee : 

“ I reckon it has paid us to hunt up them bosses, 
whether we ever get hold of ’em or not.” 

“ Indeed it has !” ISTed replied emphatically, “and 
now I am beginning to question whether it will be 
well to make a raid on the stable.” 

“ What has caused such a change in your ideas ?” 
Ben asked curiously. 

“ The fact that we have important information to 
carry to headquarters. There is a certain amount 
of danger in trying to recover the animals, however 
simple Josh believes the work to be, and we had 
better lose a dozen horses than run the risk of 
being unable to reveal Sim’s plans to the proper 
ofiicers.” 

“ You fear some of us may get hurt ?” 

“ It might happen that we were discovered, and, 
being made prisoners, not allowed to leave until 


42 


WITH LAFA 7ETTE AT YORKTOWN, 


after Sim and his precious friend had done all the 
mischief possible.” 

“We must have bosses if we count on gettin’ 
ahead of ’em,” Josh said decidedly. “In case they 
leave here mounted, an’ we follow on foot, there’s 
mighty little show of our blockin’ their game.” 

“Josh is right,” Ben added. “ We must get the 
animals, if for no other reason than to prevent 
those men from traveling rapidly.” 

“ I fancy they could find other horses in case we 
succeeded in taking our own.” 

“ That is true ; but we would be riding as fast as 
they, and there wouldn’t be time enough to carry 
out the scheme, provided we had no difficulty in 
finding an officer of our army. N'ow I am certain 
Josh will be warranted in taking possession of any 
horse we come across.” 

“There’s no question about it,” Ned replied 
thoughtfully, “ and if we can upset Sim’s scheme I 
shall think I may be forgiven for taking Uncle 
Jacob’s nag.” 

Josh was confident he could pilot the party to the 
Hudson Eiver, and once that point was reached 
there would be but little difficulty in finding the head- 
quarters of the army^ providing they were not in- 
tercepted by the enemy. 

During an hour or more the boys discussed the 
matter, and then, the subject having been exhausted, 
all remained silent, waiting for the moment when it 
would be possible to take the first step in the action 
which might have such important results for the 
cause all had at heart. 


A RAID, 


43 


ITight came slowly. 

When the darkness had shrouded the earth, 
sounds of revelry could be heard from the tory’s 
home, and Josh said, in a tone of satisfaction : 

“ They’re goin’ to make a night of it, I reckon. 
We shall have to wait a little longer than I counted 
on ; but the job will be all the easier when the right 
time comes.” 

“When do you propose to begin operations?” 
Ned asked. 

“Not before midnight, and even later, if they 
haven’t quieted down by then. We shall get a good 
six-hours’ start, an’ it’ll be our own fault if we don’t 
ride so far ahead that the only thing them fellers 
can do is to whistle.” 

Half an hour after, the boys moved cautiously to 
the edge of the clearing, where they could have the 
buildings in full view, and then came the most 
dreary of all the long time of inaction. 

Once Josh ventured to remark that it was fortu- 
nate for them the tories did not keep dogs, but no 
one felt like sustaining any lengthy conversation. 

All were fully aware of the danger attending 
their proposed raid, and were mentally bracing 
themselves for the struggle which might ensue. 

It was not yet midnight when the sounds of 
revelry died away ; one by one the lights in the 
building were extinguished, and Ben rose to his feet, 
believing the decisive moment had arrived. 

“Wait an hour longer,” Josh whispered. “ Give 
’em time to get sound asleep ; we can better afford 
to do that than run the risk of a reg’lar battle.” 


44 


WITH LA FA YETTE A T YORKTO WN. 


“ I thought you believed the work could be done 
very easily 

“So I do, providin’ we don’t rush. There’s 
times when it pays to keep movin’ ; but this ain’t 
one of ’em.” 

“ It seems to me we ought to have our plans well 
mapped out before we start, and yet so far we 
haven’t said a word regarding what is to be done.” 

“Well,” Josh replied slowly, recognizing by this 
remark that his new friends had really elected him 
leader of the enterprise, “ here’s about the whole of 
it. The door of the stable is fastened with a big 
padlock, an’ you fellers must contrive in some way 
to get it off while I’m inside harnessin’ the bosses. 
There’s a window with a shutter to it on the other 
end of the building, an’ that’s where I’ll go in. If 
anybody shows up before we’ve got the nags out of 
doors, we must lay low, an’ wait for another 
chance ; but if everything is ready, then I shall ride 
away, no matter how many tories are around.” 

“ Is it understood that we are to use our mus- 
kets?” Ned asked. 

“I shall get off once I’ve brought a boss out of 
the stable,” Josh replied in a meaning tone. 

“How are we to tackle the padlock?” Ben asked 
of Ned. 

“ Unless the staples are clenched very firmly, we 
should be able to draw them with our musket- 
barrels. If that can’t be done, I see no other way 
than to cut them out.” 

“ That will take a long while.” 


A MAID. 


45 


It’s the only way, and we’ve got at least six 
hours before us. Of course we’re not to spend any 
more time than is actually necessary ; but sixty 
minutes won’t be wasted if we then succeed in get- 
ting off without having given an alarm.” 

Then came another time of suspense, which was 
ended by Josh, who said : 

“I reckon we can start now. Don’t bother 
’bout me, ’cause I’ll get inside without any trouble ; 
but work the best you know how at the door. I’ll 
go ahead, an’ you follow.” 

Young Higgins did not propose to take unneces- 
sary chances. 

Although it was reasonable to suppose the in- 
mates of the house were all wrapped in slumber, he 
approached the stable as cautiously as if every one 
was on the alert. 

Bending low, he skirted the edge of the clearing 
until the stable was between himself and the dwell- 
ing, and then went boldly to work. 

Ben and Ned saw him push gently aside the 
small shutter of the window through which the 
refuse of the barn was thrown out, and then they 
began their task. 

Fortunately for the success of their plans, the 
timbers of the door were so heavy that the staples 
simply penetrated the wood, instead of passing 
through sufficiently far to be clenched, and it was 
but the work of a few seconds to draw out one by 
aid of the muskets. 

Josh had succeeded only in saddling Ned’s horse 


46 


WITH LA FA YETTE A T TORKTO WH. 


when his companions entered, and Ben whis- 
pered : 

“ ni attend to mine, while you get one for your- 
self.” 

“ There ain’t much chance for a choice,” Josh re- 
plied grimly. “ Last night four others were here, 
but now nothin’ is left except a mule.” 

‘‘ That would be worse than nothing.” 

“ I’m not so certain, an’ shan’t be till I try,” Josh 
said as he began saddling the long-eared animal. 
‘‘ Kidin’ a mule is a good ways ahead of walkin’.” 

Five minutes from the time the boys entered the 
stable they were on the outside with the animals, 
ready for the start. 

Josh led his steed around to the rear of the 
building, the others following, and from there into 
the thicket, stopping when he was screened from 
view to say triumphantly : 

“ It wasn’t so much of a job as I counted on. 
Now I allow we will have to push through the 
woods a couple of miles before havin’ a chance to 
ride.” , 

Don’t wait here to talk, but go on,” Ben said 
impatiently. “That beast of yours may take it 
into his head to bray, and if he should, the tories 
will be awakened no matter how soundly they may 
sleep.” 

Josh pushed on once more, making no reply, and 
when he next halted it was at a well-defined road 
leading southwest. 

“I reckon this is what we wanted to find,” he 


A HAW. 


47 


said as he mounted. “ Now it’s a question of ridin’ 
at full speed till daylight, when we’d better get 
under cover.” 

The boys clambered into the saddle while he was 
speaking, and by the time he concluded all were 
ready for the flight. 

Before two miles had been traversed Ben and 
Ned realized that Josh’s mule could travel much 
faster than the horses. Their steeds were being 
urged forward at the highest speed possible, while 
the long-eared animal not only kept pace with 
them, but was, apparently, making no undue exer- 
tion. 

“You set the pace, and I’ll keep close in the 
rear,” Josh cried as he allowed his companions to 
ride past. 

“You could run us out of sight in half an hour.” 

“That’s what I’m afraid of doing unless I stay 
behind. Say, this beats walkin’, eh? I don’t know 
but that I’d be willin’ to foot it a day or two 
though, if by so doin’ I could see Sim Perkins when 
he discovers what has been done.” 

“ You may see him too soon for comfort,” Ben 
cried joyously. He was in the best of spirits now 
he was in the saddle once more, and the future had 
no terrors for him. 

“ That can’t be after I’ve once enlisted. All I 
ask for is to be a reg’lar soldier when we do meet, 
an’ then there won’t be anything wrong in shootin’ 
him same’s I would a polecat.” 

However much the boys desired to talk over their 


48 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT TOUKTOWK 


late exploit, it could not be done owing to the diffi- 
culty of sustaining a conversation while riding at 
such speed, and after this last remark of Josh’s 
nothing was said until at least two hours had 
elapsed. 

There were no obstacles in the path, and on they 
went at rapid pace, intent only on traversing the 
greatest possible distance before the sun should 
rise. 

The hoof-beats of the horses rang out loud and 
distinct on the night air, but since there was no 
longer any fear the inmates of the house in the 
clearing could be disturbed by the noise, it sounded 
like sweetest music in the ears of the successful 
raiders. 

Not until day had fairly dawned did Josh allow 
his companions to draw rein, and then the steeds 
stood sadly in need of a halt. 

They had ridden four hours, and it was safe to 
assume had traveled at least thirty miles. 

The little party had arrived at a stream which it 
was necessary to cross, and on the opposite bank, 
some distance front the road, were the ruins of a 
log house, probably once the scene of an attack by 
the Indians. 

“ I reckon we had better pull up there,” Josh 
said as he guided his mule into the water. “We 
don’t know this section of the country, and, accord- 
ing to my way of thinkin’, it won’t be safe to 
travel in the daytime.” 

“It isn’t possible the king’s troops can be near 


A HA IB. 


49 


here,” Ben said, believing his companion, hitherto 
so brave, was suddenly growing timorous. 

“That’s what we can’t say, and there’s no reason 
for runnin’ an}^ risk. The bosses won’t be able to 
travel more than ten or twelve hours in every 
twenty-four, and we shall get ahead just as fast if 
we move only at night.” 

“ But I don’t think we are yet far enough in 
advance of the tories.” 

“ They can’t come in pursuit until after pickin’ up 
more bosses, an’ considerin’ that most likely they 
don’t yet know of what has been done, I reckon 
we’re all right for a spell.” 

Then, as if believing it was useless to discuss the 
matter. Josh led the way to the ruins, where was 
found ample opportunity for remaining concealed 
from any who might pass on the road. 

The animals were taken a long distance into the 
woods, where plenty of grass was to be had, and 
there hobbled securely. 

Then Josh insisted on returning to the ruins, 
instead of remaining in the thicket as his companions 
proposed. 

“ If anybody comes after us, we must know it,” 
he said decidedly. “We’ll take turns at standin’ 
watch, and as soon as the sun sets move ahead once 
more.” 

The precautions against a surprise, as taken by 
Josh, appeared to be an excess of prudence when 
night came and not a traveler had been seen on the 
road ; but he did not consider the labor performed 
in vain. 


50 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT TORETOWN, 


“ It’s better to keep one eye open all the time, 
than be nabbed while you’ve got both shut,” he 
said with an air of exceeding wisdom when, at night- 
fall, the flight was resumed. 

During this portion of the journey the fugitives 
were repaid for their previous mishaps. Until 
arriving at the Hudson Kiver they met no one who 
made any attempt to molest them, and twice during 
the journey halts were made at the houses of farm- 
ers, where grain for the animals and warm food for 
themselves could be procured. 

Ben was the only member of the party who had 
an}^ money, and the amount in his possession was so 
small that it would hardly have sufficed to pay for 
one meal at a hotel. 

When they stood on the bank of the river there 
was no thought of exchanging the horses for a boat, 
as had been Ben’s first intention. 

They could ridp as rapidly as it would be possible 
to sail down the stream, and it seemed much like 
the act of a spendthrift to abandon steeds which 
could readily be sold for good prices in case they 
were not allowed to retain them after enlisting. 

o 

“ We’ll hold on to what we’ve got as long as we 
can,” Josh said decidedly, as they halted and fed 
the animals with a generous quantity of corn which 
had been purchased that day. “ We can’t be very 
far from the army now, an’ there’s nothin’ to pre- 
vent our pushin’ ahead as long as the bosses can 
stand it. ’Cordin’ to my way of thinkin’ we shan’t 
get there with our news any too quick.” 


A JiAII). 


61 


It was known at Portsmouth that Colonel Scam- 
mell’s command was encamped at Dobb’s Ferry, 
when the latest information from headquarters was 
brought to that town, and there the boys believed 
their long journey would come to an end, for even 
though the colonel had gone elsewhere, it was only 
reasonable to suppose some portion of the army 
would be at that place. 

Until they were within half a dozen miles of 
their destination nothing worth recounting occurred, 
and then, all unsuspicious there were armed men in 
the vicinity, while riding through a narrow strip of 
wooded country a loud command to halt caused the 
three to look around in apprehension. 

!Uo person was to be seen, and Josh, who had 
partially reined in his mule, said with a laugh : 

“ Come on, boys, I don’t reckon we’re so soft as 
to be frightened when some very funny feller tries 
to scare us.” 

“ Halt, or I’ll fire !” came in a commanding voice 
from the thicket, and as no one appeared to give 
emphasis to the demand. Josh cried jeeringly : 

“Show yourself, an’ then we’ll see whether its 
worth our while or not.” 

While one might have counted twenty the boys 
waited nervously for the appearance of the speaker, 
and then, to the surprise of all, a squad of uniformed 
men marched out of the woods, led by an officer 
who bore no insignia of rank. 

“Where did you come from?” the commander 
asked as he approached the boys. 


62 


WITH LAFA TETTE A T TORKTO WN. 


‘‘Portsmouth, iu the province of Kevv Hamp- 
shire,” Hed replied after waiting an instant for one 
of his companions to speak. “We have come to 
enlist, and would like to be directed to Colonel 
Scamm ell’s camp, if it is anywhere in the vicinity.” 

“ Dismount.” 

“ Are we near the camp ?” 

“ Dismount !” and the officer drew his sword. 

Silently and wonderingly the boys obeyed, and 
instantly three of the men mounted the steeds, 
riding quickly away as if in obedience to orders 
already received. 

“What is the meaning of this?” Hed cried 
angrily, determined that he would not be deprived 
of his horse, even by an armed force, without a 
protest. 

“ My duty is to collect all horses found in the 
possession of civilians, for the use of the army. 
Here is an order by which you will receive a 
warrant for money in payment of that which has 
been taken,” and after writing a few lines the 
officer handed Hed a slip of paper, certifying that 
from him and his two companions had been taken 
three animals, of a value yet to be determined. 

“ Where shall I present this ?” 

“ At headquarters, five or six miles further down 
the river. If you want to enlist, my taking the 
horses will cause you no other inconvenience than 
that of walking there.” 

“But see here, mister,” Josh said in a persuasive 
tone. “We have got news for Colonel Scammell 
that must be delivered at once.” 


A HAW. 


53 


“ There IS nothing now to prevent your seeing 
the colonel, providing he is in camp.’’ 

“ It will take us two hours to walk that far, an’ 
we’re none too fresh for such a journey after having 
been in the saddle nine days.” 

“ It will do you good to stretch your legs a bit,” 
the officer replied as he turned toward his men. 
“ I am simply obeying orders, and there is no use 
in attempting to discuss the matter with me.” 

“ But tell us howto get to headquarters, or wher- 
ever Colonel Scammell may be, won’t you ?” 

“Follow the river,” was the impatient reply, and 
then the soldiers were marching silently back to 
their place of concealment, there to await the 
coming of more horses which might be seized. 

“Well,” Josh said with a long-drawn sigh as the 
men disappeared from view. “ It seems as if these 
fellers don’t believe in tr^dn’ to butter parsnips with 
fine words. They couldn’t have given Sim Perkins 
himself a colder shoulder. Now it’s a case of 
walkin’, I reckon.” 

Neither Ned nor Ben made any reply. They 
had fancied a different reception when they pre- 
sented themselves as recruits, and especially while 
bringing valuable information, therefore both were 
sadly disappointed. 

“ This is where iz pays to keep on movin’,” Josh 
said cheerily as he led the way down the road. 
“We ain’t half as bad off as we might be, an’ it’ll 
come out all right when we find the colonel.” 


54 


WITH LAFA YETTE A T YORKTO WN. 


CHAPTEE Y. 

A SECRET MISSION. 

Ben did not accept the seizure of the horses with 
a very good grace, and was almost inclined to 
quarrel with Josh because he continued so cheerful 
under such disagreeable circumstances. 

“We were not treated any worse when we fell in 
with the tory spies,” he grumbled as the three 
trudged wearily on. “ They did no more than steal 
our horses, and, with that exception, treated us in a 
civil manner. It seems pretty rough to be robbed 
by those who should be our friends, especially after 
we have worked so hard to bring three soldiers to 
the army.” 

“But we are to be paid for the animals — that is, 
you and Hed will collect the value of the beasts 
you rode, but I shall be forced to make a present of 
mine.” 

“ What do you mean by that ?” 

“ It was all right to take the mule in order to 
assist in recruiting for the Continental forces ; but 
if I should sell her, then what we did the other 
night would be nothing less than stealing. I don’t 
feel as if I had any reason to grumble simply be- 
cause I am forced to walk half a dozen miles — it was 


A SECRET MISSION, 


55 


mighty fortunate I didn’t have to foot it all the way 
from home.” 

“ If you can’t receive payment, neither can I,” 
l^ed added emphatically, “and I’m not so sure but 
that I am glad matters have turned exactly in this 
way. It seems as if it cleared me, in a certain 
degree, of the charge of stealing Uncle Jacob’s 
horse. I suppose that is whittling the thing down 
very small ; but yet there’s considerable satisfaction 
in it for me.” 

“ If you fellows look at the matter so calmly, I 
suppose I had better hold my tongue,” Ben said 
impatiently ; “ but at the same time it’s an outrage, 
even though two of the animals did not really belong 
to us.” 

“ Of course you will explain why Josh and I 
refuse payment ?” 

“ There is no necessity of saying anything about 
it. I will collect the money they see fit to pay me 
for m}^ horse, and let it go at that.” 

“But I would rather it was known,” JSTed per- 
sisted. 

“ Yery well,” Ben replied moodily. “ Suppose 
you take charge of the whole affair. It won’t be a 
question of bargaining as to the amount; but of 
simply receiving what they choose to give.” 

“ Well, I’ll look out for your interests, and 
now for the first time since Uncle Jacob overtook 
us I feel really comfortable in mind. It is only 
right he should contribute something to the cause, 
and he’s being let off cheaply.” 


56 


WITH LAFA TFTTE A T TORKTO WN. 


Ned did not attempt to explain how his fault was 
atoned for by the seizure of the beast, and most 
likely for the very good reason that he could not 
have done so. It was sufficient for him that the 
mental burden had been removed, and he did not 
care to analyze the matter. 

As for Josh, he was well satisfied with whatever 
happened. He had had no compunctions about 
taking the mule from the tories, and the fact that a 
six-mile tramp was now necessary, gave him little 
concern; it was simply another incident in his 
transformation from civilian to soldier. 

Ben was the only member of the party who con- 
sidered himself aggrieved, and, owing to this fact, 
he strode on in advance at a rapid pace, too deeply 
concerned with his own injuries to realize the 
fatigue of this last stage of the journey. 

It was nearly nightfall, and the boys had been 
traveling in almost perfect silence an hour, when on 
coming around a turn in the road they found their 
progress barred by a small body of troops, drawn 
up as if to receive an enemy. 

‘‘ Now what do you suppose these fellows want 
Ben exclaimed in a low tone. “ The others got 
our horses, so there’s nothing left to be stolen but 
our muskets.” 

“ I don’t reckon they’re here for our benefit. 
Perhaps we have reached the camp.” 

“ It isn’t possible we’ve walked six miles yet.^ 

“ You pushed on so fast that we may have done 
so, and ” 


A SECRET MISSION. 


hi 


Ned was interrupted by an officer, who rode 
quickly forward, and stopped his horse directly in 
front of them. 

“ Where did you come from, and where are you 
going f ’ 

“We did count on enlisting,” Ben replied hotly ; 
“ but you people don’t seem disposed to give a 
fellow a chance. What with stealing our horses ” 

Ned, afraid his friend might give offense where 
it would work to their disadvantage, interrupted by 
saying : 

“We are from Portsmouth, in the Province of 
New Hampshire, and wish to find Colonel Scam- 
mell’s headquarters. Our horses were seized by 
some soldiers who claimed to be Continentals, and 
told us we would find the colonel in this direction.” 

• The officer scrutinized them closely, and then call- 
ing two of his men to his side, said to the would-be 
recruits : 

“ You will be conducted to headquarters, and if 
your story is true there will be no difficulty about 
enlisting.” 

“ If it is true ?” Ben cried. “We’ve got the paper 
that was given us regarding the number of horses 
takeia ” 

“There will be ample opportunity to show that 
later. Follow these men, and keep your complaints 
for those who have time to listen to them.” 

Then the officer rejoined his troop, and the boys 
were gruffly told to “ move on,” a command which 
did not tend to soothe Ben’s ruffled temper, although 
he obeyed promptly. 


58 


WITH LAFA TETTB A T TORKTO WN, 


It seems to me you don’t care for recruits, since 
you treat strangers in this way,” he said to the 
soldier who marched beside him. 

“ It is because you are strangers that so much 
precaution is taken. I don’t know what may be 
going to happen, but it’s certain an important move- 
ment is about to be executed, for the orders are 
very strict regarding travelers, as if there was 
something at headquarters which should not be 
seen. You’ll find, however, that three stout fellows 
like you and your friends will be welcomed heartily, 
once it is known you are all right.” 

The soldier was so friendly that Ben’s ill-temper 
disappeared rapidly, and before they had walked 
half a mile the boys were conversing with their 
guards as if with old friends. 

The men explained that within the past twenty- 
four hours the most rigid orders had been given 
concerning visitors to the camp, and that all who 
passed on the main road were subjected to the 
strictest scrutiny, for which purpose troops were 
sent out in every direction to intercept travelers 
before they could arrive within view of head- 
quarters. 

Why this was done the guards could not say; but 
they believed some important movement was con- 
templated, the chief point of which was secrecy. 

“ Our orders are to take you to the guardhouse, 
unless you can be vouched for by some of the 
ofiicers,” the man said at length. “Of course it 
will soon be seen that you are what you represent 


A SECRET MISSION. 


59 


yourselves to be, and then that which now seems 
rough usage will be forgotten, for we need recruits 
at this time if we ever did.” 

“ My father is a lieutenant in Colonel Scammell’s 
light infantry,” Ben said quickly. 

“ In that case you won’t have much trouble. I 
will try to find him. What is his name ?” 

“ Jaffreys — Lieutenant Joseph Jafireys.” 

Half an hour later the boys were marched into a 
village of tents, where were what seemed an 
immense number of men lounging around as if their 
only purpose in life was to pass the time in the 
most comfortable manner possible. There was very 
little of the “ pomp and circumstance” of war 
apparent, and the new recruits were sadly disap- 
pointed in the scene, although neither could have 
explained what he expected to see. 

The newcomers were ushered into a log hut 
which served as guard-tent, and remained there ten 
long minutes before Ben’s father entered, when 
their imprisonment was at an end. 

Lieutenant JafiPreys was not greatly surprised at 
seeing his son, who he knew would enter the army 
as soon as he was of suitable age, but he appeared 
astonished that the boys should have traveled so far 
to join his command. 

“You couldn’t have come at a better time,” the 
lieutenant said after greeting ISTed, and being 
introduced to Josh. “We are sadly in need of men, 
particularly now, when something important is 
about to be done.” 


60 


WITH LAW A YETTE AT YORKTOWN. 


“ What is it, father 

“ That is more than I can say ; but we shall all 
know very soon, I fancy. Como to my tent, and we 
will decide about the enlistment in the morning.’^ 

Ben was so happy at meeting his father that for 
the moment he forgot the information which he 
brought, and Ned reminded him of it by saying : 

‘‘ You had better tell what we heard at Ben- 
nington.” 

The story was soon related, and although the 
boys had believed it important, they were surprised 
by the effect which it had upon Lieutenant Jaffreys. 

‘‘ Stand here till I come back,” he said after 
questioning all three closely. “I may be gone 
some time, and if it is late before I return, ask the 
way to my tent.” 

“ Can’t you show us where it is ?” Ben asked. 

“ I haven’t the time. Any of the men will point 
it out, if I don’t come back soon.” 

Before Ben could ask another question his father 
was hurrying away, and the would-be recruits 
could do no less than remain where he had left 
them. 

Now they had arrived at their destination, and 
there was no further danger of being mistaken for 
enemies, the boys began to realize how weary they 
were. Throwing themselves on the ground they 
speculated upon the “ secret movement” which was 
contemplated, and more particularly as to how long 
they might be obliged to wait before getting some- 
thing to eat. 


A SECRET MISSION. 


61 


The last of their provisions had been consumed 
early that morning, and anything eatable would 
have been gladly welcomed. 

“ If it is half as much trouble to get out of the 
army as it is to get in, we’re likely to be soldiers 
the remainder of our lives,” Ned said in as cheery a 
tone as he could assume, for his companions were 
looking most disconsolate, and he realized that some- 
thing should be done to revive their drooping 
spirits. 

“ I’ve given up all hope of gettin’ a chance to 
enlist,” Josh said mournfully. “ If you fellers, who 
are well equipped, ain’t thought more of, where 
shall I come in ?” 

“ Father will fix everything, but I wish he had 
stopped to think how tired and hungry we must be. 
If that story hadn’t been told until later, we’d be in 
better shape by this time.” 

“ It seems as if your father thought it very 
important, since he couldn’t stop even to show us his 
tent, and we did well in telling it at the earliest 
possible moment ” 

Before Ned had concluded his remark Lieutenant 
Jaffreys appeared, breathless from rapid traveling. 

“ You boys are to come to Colonel Scammell’s 
quarters at once,” he announced. 

“Can’t we get something to eat first?” Ben 
asked, rising slowly ; but his companions were on 
their feet in an instant. 

“ If you become a soldier you will soon learn to 
make your appetite wait on convenience,” the 


62 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT YORKTOWH 


officer replied with a smile. “A hungry man 
doesn’t get much sympathy here, for all of us have 
been in that condition many times.” 

Ben’s father was leading the way while speaking, 
and from his manner the boys understood that 
their information was considered valuable. 

“Will Josh be allowed to enlist, even though he 
isn’t properly equipped ?” Ben asked after a few 
seconds, during which time he had been obliged to 
walk very rapidly in order to keep pace with his 
father. 

“ There will be no difficulty about anything of 
that kind, although from what I gathered, I don’t 
fancy you boys will remain with the army.” 

“ What are we to do ?” 

“ That you will soon learn. You are to agree to 
whatever Colonel Scammell proposes, and it may 
be we shall have an opportunity to talk about home 
affairs before you leave.” 

“ Are we going away ?” 

Lieutenant Jaffreys made no reply, but quickened 
his pace yet more as if to avoid further questions. 

It seemed to the boys as if they had walked 
nearly a mile when Ben’s father halted in front of a 
large tent, before which an armed guard paced to 
and fro. 

“ Go in, and tell your story,” Lieutenant Jaffreys 
said, after speaking in a low tone to the sentinel. 

“ Aren’t you coming ?” 

“ No. I am enjoined to forget what you told me, 
and shall not even know the result of this interview, 
unless it chances that you stay with the troops.” 


A SECRET MISSION, 


63 


Full of astonishment because of the strange 
words, the boys suffered themselves to be literally 
pushed forward by the sentinel, and an instant later 
were standing in front of several officers of high 
rank, as could be told by their uniform. 

It was nearly a minute before Ben and ISTed 
recognized Colonel Scammell, and then they felt 
more at ease as he said in a kindly tone : 

“ ISTow, boys, one of you begin from the moment 
you left Portsmouth, and tell me the story of your 
journey. Don’t omit a single detail.” 

Ben turned to IN’ed as if to say he should act as 
spokesman, and the latter did as he was bidden, his 
memory refreshed from time to time by Josh or 
Ben when he slighted certain particulars. 

When the story was concluded Colonel Scammell 
asked if they had ever seen Sim Perkins before. 

‘‘Josh knows him,” Ned replied. 

“ Then let Josh tell all he can concerning him.” 

Master Higgins did not give the alleged spy a 
very good character, as may be supposed, but he 
drew a spirited word-picture of the worthy Sim and 
his friend Hodgkins, concluding by saying : 

“ The folks ’round Bennington haven’t got 
through with Sim, an’ I don’t believe he’ll ever 
show up there again.” 

The gentlemen held a brief whispered conver- 
sation, at the close of which Colonel Scammell 
asked : 

“ Have either of you ever been in this section of 
the country before ?” 


64 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT YORETOWN. 


“ISTever, sir.” 

“ Would you be afraid to undertake a long 
journey 

“ No, sir.” 

“ Not if it led you very far from here ?” 

“We have come to enlist, sir, and are willing to 
do whatever may be required of us.” 

“But in this case I don’t want you to enlist, at 
least not at present. It is believed that you three 
might find General Lafayette as handily as any 
messengers we could send, and there is less danger 
of your being condemned as spies, in event of 
capture, than if you belonged to the army.” 

“ Where is General Lafayette, sir ?” 

“ In Virginia.” 

The boys were bewildered for an instant at the 
idea of attempting so long a journey alone, and the 
colonel hastened to say ; 

“ It seems like quite an undertaking, I suppose, 
but is by no means as difficult as it looks. You will 
be provided with a small amount of money ; the 
horses which were seized will be returned, and 
there is no reason why the mission cannot be per- 
formed by you even better than by an}^ one in our 
command.” 

“ I’m willin’ to go anywhere,” Josh said quickly ; 
“ but I’d like to know if I’ll be ’lowed to enlist 
when we get back ?” 

“Once the mission has been accomplished, I 
promise to receive you as a recruit, and there is in 
the work that which may give you a commission.” 


A SECRET MISSION. 


65 


“But I haven’t anything much in the way of 
equipments.” 

“ I undertake to provide all that may be needed,” 
the colonel said with a smile. 

“Then the sooner we start the better,” Josh 
replied in a tone of content. 

“ Are you also willing ?” and the colonel turned 
toward Ben and IS’ed. 

“ Yes, sir,” was the reply from both, and spoken 
so nearly together as to sound like one voice. 

“ Then you will start at daybreak. The horses 
shall be brought into camp to-night, and delivered 
at Lieutenant Jaffrey’s quarters. He will provide 
you with money, and the only instructions are to 
make your way to General Lafayette in the shortest 
possible space of time. Dun’t let anything within 
your control detain you, but push ahead night and 
day. Jaffreys will give you some idea regarding the 
route, and as for the rest you must depend upon 
yourselves.” 

“ What are we to do after arriving there ?” Hed 
asked. 

“ Tell the general of our meeting, repeat the 
same story you have related to us, and add these 
words : “ Clinton will be surprised when he learns 
the army has gone south.” From this moment you 
are not to discuss these instructions even among 
yourselves, lest listeners should be near. Remem- 
ber that your sole aim is to find the general as soon 
as possible, and do not speak again of this inter- 
view until you are in his presence,” 


66 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT YORKTOWN, 


“ Do you think he will pay any attention to us, 
if we have nothing to show who we are?” IN^ed 
asked, wholly at a loss to understand the design of 
this secret mission. 

“ At first he will naturally be suspicious, and prob- 
ably subject you to rigid examination ; I have no 
question, however, but that he will finally believe 
you are to be trusted. It would be in the highest 
degree dangerous if I gave you any credentials. 
Discuss with Jaffreys the best course to pursue on 
leaving camp, but not even to him is the message to 
be repeated. It is a secret mission with which 
you are entrusted, and we may be making a 
mistake to allow you to carry it; but I know what 
New Hampshire boys have done, and believe you 
can succeed. When we meet again I will see to it 
that you are allowed to become soldiers — perhaps 
officers, if this task is performed successfully.” 

As he ceased speaking the colonel lifted the flap 
of his tent, and the boj^s could do no less than take 
their departure, although it seemed as if they were 
yet in ignorance of what was expected of them. 

Fully an hour had been spent in the colonel’s 
quarters, and when they came out no one save the 
sentinel was to be seen. 

“ Father ou^ht to have waited for us ; we shall 
never find his tent while it is so dark.” 

“ Hold on a bit, and I’ll have some one here to 
show you the way,” the sentinel said as he halted 
and gave vent to a piercing whistle. 

A soldier came out of the gloom a short distance 


A SECRET MISSION. 


67 


off, and without asking what was wanted, said to the 
boys : 

“ Come with me if you wish to find the lieuten- 
ant’s quarters.” 

Ten minutes later the three were with Ben’s 
father, and before either could speak, the lieutenant 
asked : 

“ Are you to leave camp soon ?” 

“ To-morrow morning,” Ben replied, and added 
eagerly, “ I wish you would tell us what the colonel 
meant when he ” 

“ Stop, Ben ! Unless I’m mistaken you were 
commanded not to discuss the subject of your inter- 
view with any one. Were you told that I could 
advise you in any way ?” 

“ He said you’d tell us how we should get into 
Virginia ” 

“ Be careful of your words, my boy 1 Think 
exactly what it was the colonel said you were to 
talk with me about, and don’t speak of more than 
is absolutel}! necessary. 

“ But what is the meaning of all this secrec}^ f ’ 
Ben cried impatiently. “I don’t half understand 
what we are to do.” 

Think it over, and most likely it will seem 
more plain later. How what were you told to con- 
sult me about ?” 

“The colonel said this:” Hed interrupted. 
“ ‘ Jaffreys will give you some idea as to the route.’ ” 

“ And you are going to Virginia ?” 

“ To find ” 


68 


WITH LAFA YETTE AT YOUKTOWN. 


“ Stop the lieutenant cried sharply. “ Do you 
forget what your orders were 
“ But surely we can tell youP 
‘‘ You must keep religiously the secret with which 
you were entrusted. I may have an idea of what it 
is owing to the fact of having first heard your story ; 
but nothing must be told me, and remember, that 
once you have left this camp it may cost you your 
lives to even so much as intimate the direction in 
which you propose to travel. I suppose you will 
be provided with all that is necessary 

“ The colonel said you would give us some money, 
and the horses are to be brought here.” 

“ When do you leave ?” 

“ At daylight.” 

“ Then lie down and try to sleep. I will attend 
to everything, and in the morning we will talk 
about the best course to be pursued.” 

“ But tell me this, father,” Ben cried as the lieu- 
tenant turned to leave the tent. ‘‘ Is what we are 
to do anything so very important ?” 

“ If you succeed you will, perhaps, be doing more 
for your country than any member of the army, 
except those high in rank. Any soldier here would 
gladly exchange places with you, even though the 
mission is probably most dangerous.” 

Then the lieutenant went out, and Josh said as he 
wrapped a blanket carefull}^ around him : 

“ I’m havin’ great luck for a feller what don’t own 
so much as a decent powder-horn.” 


A PECULIAR VOICE. 


69 


CHAPTER YI. 

A PECULIAR VOICE. 

Excited though the boys were with the prospect 
before them of a dangerous mission, from which 
might come rich rewards in the shape of military 
advancement, it was not many moments after they 
laid down in Lieutenant Jatfreys’ tent, before all 
three were sleeping soundly. 

Two hours later, when Ben’s father returned, they 
did not awaken, and he set about making the neces- 
sary preparations for their departure, knowing full 
well how important it was they should gain all the 
rest possible. 

It was not yet daylight when the horses and the 
mule were brought to the tent, and Lieutenant 
Jaffreys began cooking breakfast; but before much 
progress could be made in this task Josh was by his 
side. 

“ I didn’t suppose you would waken till I had 
given you your full share of a sound shaking.” 

“ I’m in the habit of turnin’ out pretty early,” 
Josh replied with a laugh. “ I’m the cook of the 
party, an’ you’d better let me tackle this job.” 

“ Do the other boys sleep while you are doing 
the work ?” 


70 


WITH LA FA YETTE A T TOBKTO WH. 


“ Well, you see I get about it, an’ they don’t know 
what’s happenin’ till breakfast is ready.” 

“ It strikes me you’re a handy traveling com- 
panion.” 

“That’s what I try to be, sir,” Josh said in a 
matter-of-fact tone as he assumed the duties of cook, 
literally forcing the lieutenant to retire. “ You see 
a feller like me, who don’t amount to very much, 
has to do something to give him a recommendation.” 

“ There isn’t anything of that kind needed from 
you, my boy, judging by appearances. You seem 
to be the best able to command the party, and 
should insist on the others doing their full share of 
the work.” 

“ They’re willin’ enough, but it comes handier to 
me than to them. Do you think we’ll get through 
to Virginia all right, sir 

“ I hope so, most sincerely; there is no question 
but that the journey could be made without diffi- 
culty under ordinary circumstanced ; but as matters 
are, you stand a good chance of being made 
prisoners. Kemember above all things. Josh, that 
you are not soldiers, and stick to the story through 
everything. A soldier found in the enemy’s lines, 
or near them, without a uniform, is usually con- 
sidered a spy and hanged. As civilians, you will 
be in less danger.” 

“I shan’t be likely to forget it, sir,” Josh replied 
as he gravely turned the corn-cake he was baking, 
“’specially ’bout the bangin’.” 

“ Talk among yourselves regarding the work to 


A PECULIAR VOICE. 


n 


be done as little as practicable, for no one can say 
when listeners may be within hearing distance.” 

“ The colonel said we wasn’t to speak of it after 
leavin’ here.” 

‘‘It is good advice, and should be followed. I 
have drawn a rough map of that section of the 
country over which 3^ou are to travel, and all hands 
must imprint it on their memory during the first 
few hours of the journey, after which it is to be 
destrojred, since if found about you the purpose for 
your going south might be guessed. Don’t do any- 
thing rash. Josh, and persuade the others to keep 
cool if strangers attempt to force a quarrel.” 

Lieutenant Jaffreys continued to give Josh good 
advice, believing he would repeat it to his compan- 
ions at fitting seasons, until breakfast was cooked, 
when Ben and Ned were awakened. 

“Everything is ready for your departure,” the 
lieutenant said when the boys opened their eyes. 
“ It is essential you should leave here as soon as 
possible, so eat breakfast and start.” 

The young messengers lost no time in obeying 
this order, and during the meal Ben’s father re- 
peated very much of what he had said to Josh. 

“ Here is a small amount of money,” he added as 
he handed a package to his son. “ Too much would 
attract suspicion, and 3^our work can best be 
accomplished by the least possible expenditure. 
Josh has the map ; study it carefully, and before 
noon make certain it is so throughly destroyed that 
if the fragments were found they would betray 
nothing.” 


72 


WITH LAFAYETTE at: YOUKTOWN. 


“ Shan’t we have a chance to see General 
Washington ?” Ben asked. 

“ Not now ; but if we are so fortunate as to‘‘meet 
again, you shall have ample opportunity. A serv- 
ant will escort you to the other side of the river, 
and in case you are questioned as to your reasons 
for visiting the camp, say you wanted to enlist, but 
were refused because you did not have complete 
equipments.” 

By the time Ben’s father had concluded his 
advice the morning meal was at an end, and the 
boys made ready for the journey. 

Both horses and the mule were near the tent, in 
charge of a negro, and they mounted at once, the 
only leave-taking which was indulged in being a 
fervent clasp of the hand. 

When Ben would have lingered for a few words 
in private with his father, the latter motioned him 
away, as he said in a voice which was far from 
steady : 

“ If we meet again there will be plenty of time 
for confidences ; but now there must be nothing in 
your mind but the determination to perform thp 
mission with which you are charged.” 

Josh understood that the lieutenant, realizing 
fully the dangers they might encounter, did not 
dare trust himself to take an affectionate leave of 
his son ; but Ben wondered not a little why his 
father should suddenly have grown so stern. 

The negro might as well have been deaf and 
dumb, so far as the boys were concerned, for he 


A PECULIAH VOICE. 


73 


simply answered “ yes ” or “ no ” to their questions, 
and when they had been ferried across the river, 
pointed out the direction in which they must travel. 

“Where had we better stop to-night Ned 
asked, thinking perhaps the old darky was ac- 
quainted -with that section of the country. 

“ De chickens allers roos’ high when the fox am 
’roun’,’’ was the sage reply, and before anything 
more could be said the negro was riding rapidly 
toward the river, he having accompanied them 
about half a mile from the shore. 

“ lie doesn’t count on giving words away,” Ned 
said with a laugh. “ It strikes me that every one 
we’ve seen this morning has suddenly turned glum. 
If we are treated so curtl3^ by those who should 
be friends, what kind of a show will we stand 
among enemies ?” 

“We must take precious good care not to mix up 
with that kind,” Josh said with a cheery laugh. 
“We ought to get quite a bit on our road without" 
havin’ very great dealin’s with anybod3^ The first 
thing just now, though, is to study the map, and 
then destroy it accordin’ to instructions, so let’s 
begin.” 

Ben’s father had traced nearly a straight course 
for the young messengers from King’s Ferry to 
Baltimore, and thence to Kichmond in Virginia. 

There was but little attempt at map-making. 
The names of the towns, with the distance between 
each, were jotted down in their regular order, but 
nothing more. 


74 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT TORETOWN. 


It don’t take long to get the whole of that in a 
feller’s head,” Josh said after he had studied the 
paper a few moments in silence. “I reckon I’ve 
seen enough of it.” 

Ned had soon committed it to memory, and when 
Ben finished his portion of the task the paper was 
torn into tiny fragments, or chewed until it was 
simply a mass of pulp. 

During this time of study the boys rode at a 
leisurely pace, but when the document had served 
its purpose. Josh said gravely : 

“We can’t afford to go along haphazard, in this 
fashion, or we may find our journey’ll end mighty 
sudden. I take it that we need to get as far 
from New York by sunset as possible, so let’s give 
the beasts about twenty miles before noon, and as 
much after dinner.” 

“ Can they stand it ?” 

“ If they can’t the sooner we know it the better. 
It’s a long pull from here to ” 

“ Hold on. Josh 1” Ned interrupted. “ Don’t for- 
get that we must never mention, even to ourselves, 
the end of the journey.” 

“ That’s a fact, an’ I came mighty nigh bein’ the 
first to break the rule. Say, we ought to have 
some answer ready in case we are cornered and 
questioned. Where are we going ?” 

“ Why not say Philadelphia ?” 

“ All right, Philadelphia it is ; but why are we 
going there ?” 

“ To get work. 


A PECULIAR VOICE. 


75 


“ What kind 

“ YouVe got me now ; I haven’t any idea.” 

“We must also agree upon a story as to where 
we came from, and all that sort of thing,” Josh 
added. “ Kow if we should be brought up with a 
round turn, Ned had better do the talkin’, an’ the 
others hold their tongues.” 

“ You are the best one to tackle that job. Fix 
up a story to suit yourself ; tell us what it is, and 
then stick to it when you’re questioned,” Ned said 
decidedly, and Ben appeared perfectly satisfied 
Josh should be elected spokesman of the party. 

Master Higgins did not seem to think it necessar}’' 
he should concoct his story immediately, but at 
once spurred the mule to a gait which taxed the 
abilities of the horses to equal. 

During two hours they rode at a sharp trot, and 
in that time no one was seen who seemed disposed 
to molest them. 

Then Josh halted, and after advising that they 
give the animals a breathing spell of half an hour, 
flung himself on the grass in the shade of some 
trees, and was apparently asleep before his com- 
panions had fairly dismounted. 

At the end of the stated time he awakened, to the 
surprise of Ben and Ned, who were watching to 
learn if he would oversleep the proposed number of 
moments, and the hurried journey was resumed. 

Three times before nightfall did Josh repeat these 
maneuvers, and Ned said in surprise, when they 
began the last stage of that day’s ride : 


WITH LA FA TETTE A T TORKTO WN. 


% 


“I can’t understand how you fall asleep so 
quickly, or, once having done so, how it is possible 
to awaken whenever you wish.” 

“ I don’t know myself, except that it’s a habit I’ve 
got, an’ it will come in mighty handy while we’re 
on this business. Have you fellers kept your eyes 
open all day ?” 

“ Every moment.” 

“ Well, you had a good night’s rest, so it doesn’t 
make so much matter ; but you must learn to catch 
sleep whenever there’s a chance. How we’ll try to 
get along without talkin’ till we find a haltin’ place 
for the night. Come on,” and Josh urged the mule 
to a rapid pace once more. 

The sun was hanging low in the heavens when 
the boys arrived at a small settlement consisting of 
three log houses, and prudence dictated that they 
should stop for the night, since the animals showed 
evident signs of exhaustion. 

“ If we can get corn here, I think we’d better 
pull up till rnornin’,” Josh said as he allowed the 
mule to slacken her pace to a walk. 

“ I thought it was decided we’d sleep in the 
woods,” Ben replied. 

“ That should only be done when we have grain 
for the horses. If we got some here, and rode on, 
it might be dark before we found a halting-place 
where there’s plenty of water. We’ve traveled 
hard on to fifty miles since rnornin’, an’ the animals 
need all the comfort we can give them.” 

The possibility of sleeping in a bed once more 


A PKCULIAH VOICE. 


77 


was not to be slighted by such weary travelers, and 
Josh was allowed to arrange matters to please him- 
self. 

Kiding in advance he stopped at the first build- 
ing, and in a few moments had made arrangements 
for food and lodgings. 

The tired steeds were stabled, rubbed down well, 
and, with a generous supper before them, were left 
to the needed repose, while their masters went into 
the house in search of as good accommodations. 

The head of the family was not at home ; but his 
wife, who appeared well able to conduct the busi- 
ness, agreed to provide the boys with supper and 
breakfast at a modest sum. She would charge them 
nothing for sleeping in the house, because of the 
fact that she could not provide them with beds. 

‘‘We’d jest as soon stay in the barn on the hay,” 
Josh suggested, and the good woman accepted the 
proposition with alacrity. 

“ You’ll be more comfortable there than here on 
the floor, an’ it will save me a sight of trouble.” 

Thus the place of sleeping was decided upon, and 
when the young messengers had partaken of a plain 
but well-cooked supper, and paid their bill in 
advance, they sought such repose as was to be found 
on the haymow, for neither of the party cared to 
sit up any longer than was absolutely necessary. 

Josh fell asleep instantly he was stretched out at 
full length, and the others were not many moments 
in following his example. 

It seemed to Ben as if he had but just dropped 


78 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT TORKTOWN, 


into unconsciousness, although as events proved he 
must have been wrapped in slumber several hours, 
when he was aroused by loud voices outside the 
barn. 

Before he was fairly awake it seemed as if the 
speaker must be an acquaintance, and when once 
fully alive to all the surroundings his excitement 
was most intense. 

“We’ll put up with any kind of accommodations, 
eh ?” the person on the outside was saying, probably 
to the woman of the house. “We’ve been ridin’ 
since daybreak, an’ a man can’t choose his bed at 
sich a time, eh ?” 

The peculiarity of the terminations of the sen- 
tences, as well as the tone of the voice, told him at 
once that the newcomer was none other than Sim 
Perkins, and he was the one man above all others it 
was necessary they should avoid a meeting with. 

Turning quickly he was about to waken Josh, 
when that young gentleman said in a quiet, matter- 
of-fact way : 

“It’s all right; my eyes are open.” 

“ But Sim Perkins is out there !” 

“ I knew it was him before you woke up.” 

“We mustn’t let him see us.” 

“ That’s true.” 

The calmness of Josh irritated Ben, and he asked 
almost angrily : 

“ Are you going to lay there till he tumbles over 
us ?” 

“I don’t count on rushin’ out into his arms. 


A PECULIAR VOICE. 


79 


There’s nothin’ for us but to wait till we know what 
he’s goin’ to do.” 

“ But suppose he comes in here ?” 

“ That’s what I reckon he will do, and then is the 
time for us to make a move.” 

]N’ow Ned was awakened, and he displayed quite 
as much fear as did Ben, when he learned who the 
newcomers were. 

In the meantime the conversation on the outside 
had been continued until the woman of the house 
promised to give the travelers lodging, and then 
the men could be heard coming toward the stable. 

“What are we to do?” Ned whispered nervously. 

“We’ll lay still, an’ trust to the chance that they 
won’t see us.” 

“ But they’ll know the horses.” 

“Perhaps, though it’s dark, an’ even if Sim sees 
’em, he’ll most likely wait till mornin’ before doin’ 
much. At all events, our best plan is to lay low till 
we’re obliged to show ourselves. Be ready to make 
a break if it becomes necessary,” and Josh pulled 
his musket closer lo his side. 

The men were already fumbling at the wooden 
latch of the door, and before either of the boys 
could have descended from the mow, entered the 
building. 

It was very dark inside the barn, and Sim, with a 
companion whom the boys believed to be Hodgkins, 
was forced to grope his way around the floor in 
order to And accommodations for the horses. 

“ The stalls appear to be full,” he grumbled after 


80 


WITH LAFA YETTE AT YOEKTOWN. 


a short time of searching. ‘‘ I reckon vye’d better 
turn their beasts out, an’ put ours in, eh ?” 

“ What’s the use of all that bother ?” Hodgkins 
growled. “I’ll guarantee mine will stand quiet 
enough in the floor. Pull down a lot of hay, an’ 
let it go at that.” 

“I reckon there’s grain somewhere about, eh ?” 

“ What if there is ? The bosses are too warm to 
be fed now, an’ I don’t allow to set up waitin’ for 
’em to cool off.” 

“ Perhaps it’ll be as well to give ’em a big feed in 
the mornin’, eh ?” 

“Of course,” and Hodgkins began to pull hay 
from the mow, barely missing JSTed’s leg as he thrust 
blindly around with a fork. 

“You’ve got enough, eh ?” Sim said petulantly 
after his friend had worked several moments with 
out accomplishing very much. “ It don’t lack 
more’n an hour of midnight, an’ seein’s how we 
must be on the road ag’in by sunrise, we can’t afford 
to spend all the night here, eh ?” 

“ I don’t see why you’re in sich a rush. There’s 
plenty of time to get there without ridin’ ourselves 
into skeletons. Why not take matters easy ?” 

“ Because somethin’s goin’ on at the rebel camp 
that looks suspicious, an’ I want to be at work be- 
fore the move is made, eh ?” 

“ Still on the same old yarn,” Hodgkins grumbled. 
“ I can’t see what it is you’ve found that’s so im- 
portant. If we’re goin’ south, it won’t make much 
difference to us what Washington’s figgerin’ on. 


A PECULIAR VOICE. 


81 


General Clinton will keep Mm from strayin’ very 
far.” 

“ That’s true enough, but if we take the news 
with us of some move, an’ it really happens, we’ll 
stand jest so much the better with them we count 
on workin’, eh ? Come on, do you want to pull the 
whole mow down ?” 

Hodgkins followed his leader out of the barn, 
the door was carefully closed and fastened, and the 
sound of footsteps told that the men had gone into 
the house. 

“ That's what I call a close shave,” Ben said with 
a sigh of relief, as he assumed a sitting posture ; 
but Josh pulled him back at once. 

“ The danger ain’t over yet by considerable. If 
the woman tells Sim there are three boys here, he 
may have wit enough to look us over. Keep quiet 
a spell longer, an’ don’t talk louder than a whisper.” 

The young messengers listened intently, neither 
caring to indulge in conversation until positive the 
men would not return to the barn before morning, 
and when half an hour had elapsed. Josh said in a 
guarded tone : 

“ I reckon we’re safe enough till daybreak, an’ 
now you fellers better get some more sleep.” 

“ What are you going to do?” Ned asked. 

“Keep awake till it’s time to start. We’ll give 
the animals as much of a rest as is safe, an’ then 
light out.” 

“ There won’t be any danger of their following if 
we take all the horses,” Ben suggested. 


82 


WITH LAFA YETTE AT YORKTOWN. 


“You’re right; but if that was done they might 
suspect we were on the same road, which is some- 
thing I wouldn’t like to have happen while there 
are so many miles ahead of us.” 

“ Do you intend to leave here without doing 
anything to prevent pursuit?” Ned asked in 
surprise. 

“I don’t think it will be safe to do anything. 
The woman has been paid for the supper we* had 
and the breakfast we shan’t get, so there’s nothin’ 
to prevent us from goin’ wh*en we please.” 

“ But I don’t like the idea of their being behind 
us.” 

“ Neither do I ; but it doesn’t seem to me there is 
anything else we can do. Of course I don’t want to 
say what shall or shan’t be done, when you fellers 
think different, so kinder turn the thing over, an’ 
if you finally say we’re to take their bosses, or try 
to stop ’em in any way, why I’ll do my share with- 
out grumblin’.” 

The more Ben and Ned revolved the matter in 
their minds the more difficult was it to decide which 
was the wisest course. Safety seemed to demand 
that the spies be checked in their journey, by some 
means, and yet both realized how dangerous it 
would be to do that which might cause the men to 
suspect they also were traveling south. 

Although Sim Perkins was not an intellectually 
brilliant man, he would be extremely dull if he 
failed to understand that something unusual was on 
foot, to send the boys away from the forces they 
had been so eager to join. 


A PECULIAR VOICE. 


83 


Once Sim suspected anything of the kind he 
would spare nothing which might enable him to 
overtake them, and with such a man tracking them 
down, their chances of ever arriving at the destina- 
tion decided upon would be extremely small. 

“ril give in,” Ned said after a long time of 
silence. ‘‘It seems tough to leave here without try- 
ing to cripple those fellows ; but Josh is right when 
he says it is dangerous to attempt anything of the 
kind.” 

Ben had arrived at a similar opinion, and added : 

“Now we’ve settled what’s to be done, let’s get 
some sleep. Josh says he’s intending to keep 
awake, and there’s no need of more than one 
sentinel.” 

Half an hour later the two were wrapped in 
slumber, and Josh had crept softly down from the 
mow to the door, in order that he might see the 
first signs of coming dawn. 

When an hour had passed he gave the horses 
more corn, and while they were eating, strapped on 
the saddles. 

There was hardly a perceptible difference in the 
gloom when he awakened his comrades. 

“The sun will rise in an hour,” he whispered. 
“ The bosses are harnessed, an’ I reckon we may as 
well turn their animals loose before we start. 
When the woman tells ’em there were three fellers 
in the barn, they’ll think we left the door open 
carelessly, an’ the beasts got out in that way.” 

The boys moved as silently as possible ; but it 


84 


WITH LAFA YETTE A T TORKTO WN. 


was out of the question to get the horses from the 
building without some noise. 

The steeds ridden bj Sim and Hodgkins were led 
a short distance from the stable, and the boys were 
in the act of mounting their own horses when they 
heard a familiar voice exclaim : 

“ There they go ! It is them fellers what sneaked 
back their bosses! And you think you know so 
much, Sim Perkins !” 

It was Bart Hodgkins who. spoke, and Josh 
whispered nervously : 

« We’re discovered, an’ it’s time to show what 
these beasts can do I” 


CLOSE qUARTEBS. 


85 


CHAPTEE yiL 

CLOSE QUARTERS. 

As AFFAIRS had turned, the boys would have been 
in no worse position had they done everything pos- 
sible to cripple the spies, and Josh appeared to be 
the first to recognize this, for Ned heard him mutter 
as he urged the mule to a swift pace : 

“ I was so afraid we’d be discovered that I let our 
best chance go by ! If we’d taken their horses 
there wouldn’t be any need of a very great race. 
Now the spies not only know which way we’re 
headin’, but are in good condition to give chase !” 

“ Don’t think of what might have been done,” 
Ned cried cheerily. ‘‘ You did what we all thought 
was for the best, and the matter can’t be changed 
now.” 

“ At the same time a feller knows when he makes 
a fool of himself,” Josh replied, using his whip with 
vigor, and from that moment until an hour had 
elapsed there was little opportunity for conversation. 

Josh held his steed back at times, that he might 
not outstrip his comrades, while Ben and Ned 
spurred their horses to the best possible pace. 

After an hour of this mad riding a halt became 


86 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT YORKTOWN, 


necessary, and the leader said, as he drew rein by 
the side of a small stream : 

“ I reckon it will pay us to give the beasts a 
breathin’-spell. We’ve been ridin’ faster than most 
likely the spies have, an’ probably it took ’em 
quite awhile to get under way.” 

“ Do you allow to tire them out ?” Ben asked as 
he removed the saddle to bathe the back of his 
horse. 

“ E^ot a bit of it, ’cause it can’t be done. From 
what Sim said last night, we know they suspect 
there is somethin’ goin’ on out of the reg’lar course 
at General Washington’s camp, an’ now, most likely, 
they believe we’re concerned in it. Them men will 
ride at our heels till one party or the other is done 
up. Sim Perkins is a masterhand at such work, so 
Pve been told.” 

“ W hat is to be done ? Keep straight on, and 
trust that our nags will show the best speed ?” 

That seems to be the only chance, unless we 
meet somebody who can show us a short cut across 
country, where it may be possible to give them the 
slip. We’ll do our best in the way of travelin’ to- 
day, an’ by night shall be in better condition to 
decide about the future.” 

At the expiration of fifteen minutes Josh pro- 
posed that they continue the flight, and once more 
the boys were riding at a sharp gallop. 

Three halts were made before noon, and then 
they had arrived at a small inn, where, as was 
shown by the swinging sign, might be procured 
“ entertainment for man and beast.” 


GLOBE QUARTERS. 


87 


There could be no question as to the wisdom in 
giving the already weary horses a hearty dinner, 
and, without previous consultation, the boys halted 
in front of the house. 

Instead of trusting the steeds to the mercy of the 
hostler, the young messengers gave them their per- 
sonal attention, and not until the animals had been 
well cared for did they enter the inn. 

The only attendant to be seen was a short, red- 
faced man who acted the part of landlord, and in 
reply to Josh’s questions he ‘‘ reckoned ” they could 
have dinner there, “ pervidin’ the money was showed 
up fust.” 

Once the boys had satisfied his mind in this 
respect, he was particularly civil and inquisitive. 

“ Ridin’ far ?” he asked, after having given the 
necessary orders to some one in an adjoining room. 

“ Only to Philadelphia,” Josh replied carelessly. 

“ Business ?” 

“Yes.” 

“ Ain’t thinkin’ of ’listin’, eh ?” 

“ If we had anything of that kind in our heads, 
we wouldn’t be leavin’ home. There are some in 
this country who may not want to stand up an’ be 
shot at by the king’s men.” 

“ So you’re tryin’ to keep out of a uniform, eh ?” 
and the man laughed as if there was something 
very comical in the idea. 

Josh did not reply, and the landlord believed he 
had as guests three able-bodied youths who were 
afraid to join the army. 


88 


WITH LA FA TETTE A T YORKTO WN. 


Then Josh began to ask questions relativ’^e to the 
route, and the man told him of a road through the 
woods which would save four miles in distance, but 
hardly any time, owing to its exceeding roughness. 

“ If you’re in no pertic’lar hurry, an’ want to 
spare your beasts, turn to the left at the next cross- 
roads,” the landlord said. “There ain’t many as 
uses it ; but the time’s cornin’ when it’ll be the best 
traveled.” 

“ Where can we put up for the night ?” 

“ You’ll find inns enough on the road from here 
out.” 

“ But this woods road,” Ned interrupted. “ How 
far must we ride before coming out on the high- 
way?” 

“ It’s a longish bit, I allow — say twenty miles.” 

“ And we must travel that distance before strik- 
ing an inn ?” 

“Well, yes, it’ll amount to ’bout that, I reckon.” 

At this point dinner was announced, and the boys 
sat down to a generous, although not very tempting 
meal, the first since the night previous. 

Once Ben began to talk of the afternoon’s jour- 
ney, but a warning look from Josh reduced him to 
silence. The less they spoke of their own affairs, 
the safer for them while among strangers. 

When dinner was finished, and the boys certainly 
ate as much as was paid for, Josh bargained for a 
bushel of corn and three bags, the grain to be 
divided into as many portions. 

“Countin’ to stop on the road to-night?” the 


CLOSE qUAUTERS. 


89 


landlord asked, when this part of the business had 
been transacted. 

“We shall most likely ride late, an’ by takin’ 
some grain it won’t make much of any difference if 
we don’t find an inn when it comes supper-time,” 
Master Higgins replied, and then he turned his 
attention to saddling the horses, although the land 
lords ho wed plainly that he would be well pleased if 
they lingered, since his budget of questions was far 
from exhausted. 

The noon halt was prolonged to nearly two hours, 
and all three of the travelers felt they had spent 
more time than was wise, although the horses 
needed a much longer rest than had been obtained, 
if they were to be in condition for hard work. 

In order that the inquisitive landlord’s suspicions 
might not be aroused, the boys departed leisurely, 
allowing the animals to jog along until they were 
beyond sight of the inn. 

It was necessary to ride half a mile in this 
manner, and Josh took advantage of the opportunity 
to unfold his plans. 

“We’ll strike into the road he told about, an’ if 
the horses give out we can camp in the woods ; 
accordin’ to my way of thinkin’, we’ve patronized 
hotels enough. After this we must buy grain from 
the farmers, even though we are forced to tote it 
half a day, as in this case.” 

“It’s the present which troubles me,” !N^ed said 
grimly. “ Sim and Hodgkins can’t be so very far 
behind by this time, and on arriving at the inn 


90 


WITH LAFA 7ETTE AT TORETOWN, 


they’ll have no difficulty in ascertaining where 
we’ve gone.” 

“ You’re right ; but don’t forget that their bosses 
must be even more tired than ours, since they didn’t 
have as long a rest last night, an’ it won’t be 
possible to give us a very hot chase.” 

“ Do you count on throwing them off the scent 
by going through the woods ?” 

“l^ot a bit of it. They’ll be sure to inquire 
whether we asked any questions about the road, an’ 
the landlord’ll tell ’em all he did us.”. 

‘‘ Why not keep on the highway ? They will 
naturally suppose we went through the woods, and 
we shall be separated for awhile.” 

“ It wouldn’t do a great deal of good, since at the 
end of twenty miles they’ll be either ahead or 
behind us, and the trouble is that wm shan’t know 
which. I reckon on keepin’ posted as to what they 
do, in order to help ourselves.” 

‘‘ Do you know, we ought not attempt to ride 
more than twenty miles further ?” Ben said. ‘‘ I’m 
certain my horse can’t stand a longer journey.” 

“ This mule could jog eighty miles without 
turnin’ a hair, ’cordin’ to the way she acts now,” 
Josh said with a laugh ; “ but I reckon your bosses 
have done pretty nigh a day’s work. We’ll pull up 
somewhere in the woods.” 

“ The travelers were beyond view of the inquisi- 
tive landlord by this time, and Josh quickened the 
pace, thus putting an end to the conversation. 

With a view to husbanding the strength of the 


CLOSE qUARTERS. 


91 


horses, the boys rode about five miles and then 
halted, as during the forenoon, while Josh set a 
moderate pace when they were in motion. 

Three times had this been done, and the young 
messengers concluded they were nearing the end of 
the most wretched road to be found in any section 
of the country. It was hardly more than a wide 
path through the woods, obstructed here and there 
by fallen trees or huge boulders that had rolled 
down the hillsides during times of freshets. 

It would have been impossible to travel very fast 
over such a course, and Josh said disconsolately 
when the third halt was made : 

“ We’re payin’ a pretty high price for a chance to 
camp. Such goin’ as this fags the bosses more’n 
twice that distance over a good road would, an’ I’m 
beginnin’ to think coinin’ across here is my second 
mistake to-day.” 

“ What was the first one ?” Ned asked. 

“ Leavin’ Sim’s bosses when we started this 
mornin’ ; but then,” he added half to himself, “ we 
couldn’t keep stealin’ all the way along without 
findin’ ourselves brought up by a round turn at 
some time.” 

“ I wouldn’t worry about mistakes,” Ned said 
cheerily. “ It isn’t to be expected we’ll go through 
without making some, and it’s best to err on what 
seems the safest side. The worst of camping in the 
woods is going to be the lack of food for ourselves, 
and just now that bothers me more than anything 
else.” 


92 WITH LAFA YETTE A T 70RKT0 WIT. 

“ I brought away plenty of corn cake from the 
hotel, an’ it’ll go hard if we can’t get a rabbit or 
partridge before sunset. I believe the ” 

Josh ceased speaking very suddenly, bent close 
to the ground for an instant, and then looked up 
quickly at his companions. 

“ What’s the matter ?” Ben asked nervously. 

“ Sim an’ Hodgkins are cornin’. Listen, an’ you’ll 
hear their bosses flounderin’ over the rocks.” 

“ Then we ought to be off,” Ben said as he ran 
toward his panting steed. 

“ It wouldn’t be any use to try that game,” Josh 
replied decidedly. “We’ll strike into the woods 
an’ trust to the chance of their goin’ past without 
suspectin’ what we’ve done.” 

Hed had already conceived the same plan, and 
was running down the path seeking for an opening 
in the thicket. 

“ Here’s a show to get through,” he called in a 
low tone, and five minutes later the young messen- 
gers were crouched among the foliage, an hundred 
yards or more from the road, listening intently for 
those sounds which would tell that the pursuers had 
ridden on without suspecting their intended victims 
were so near. 

They were too far away to hear any conversation 
the men might indulge in ; but the noise made by 
the animals as they stumbled over the rough road 
told of their progress. 

“We’re all right for a spell,” Josh whispered 
triumphantly as the sounds proclaimed that the 


(JL08E qUAUTEUS. 


93 


spies had passed the point at which the horses 
entered the woods. “ I thought Sim Perkins was 
sharper than to let such a trick be played on him.” 

“Don’t crow too soon,” Ned said in the same 
cautious tone. “ It won’t be long before they dis- 
cover that there is no trail.” 

It was destined the pursuers should be informed 
of the true state of affairs even sooner than Ned 
fancied, for at that moment the mule gave vent to 
one of her resounding brays which might readily 
have been heard a quarter of a mile away. 

Josh sprang to the animal’s side as if to prevent 
a repetition of the outcry, but came back to his 
companions a few seconds later, as he said grimly : 

“ I don’t reckon it makes any difference now how 
much she yells, for Sim would be deaf if he didn’t 
hear that shriek.’" 

“What’s to be done?” Ben asked in dismay. 
“ They’ll come here, of course, and we’re bound to 
have a row.” 

“ I don’t see how it can be helped,” Josh replied 
thoughtfully. “It’s too late to try to get into the 
path without bein’ seen, an’ it wouldn’t be safe to 
push further into the woods, even if there was a 
chance of givin’ them the slip by that means, which 
doesn’t seem likely.” 

“ There’s no question but that Sim will seize our 
horses, on the pretext that they were stolen from 
him, and if that happens we might as well turn 
back at once,” Ned said gloomily. 

“ He won’t take the mule,” and Josh looked to the 


94 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT YOBKTOWN, 


priming of his musket. ‘‘ Tve had orders to go to 
a certain place, an’ so long as there’s a bullet in my 
pouch Sim Perkins shan’t do anything to stop me.” 

“Do you mean to fight?” and Ben looked 
surprised. 

“ There’s nothin’ else for us to do, ’cordin’ to my 
way of thinkin’. You know what your father 
would advise, if he was here.” 

This suggestion served to give Ben new courage, 
and he also examined his weapon. 

Alread}^ could the men be heard forcing their 
way through the underbrush, and the instant Josh 
caught a glimpse of them he shouted : 

“ Halt where you are, Sim Perkins, or Pll put a 
bullet through you !” 

“ So you’ve turned highwayman as well as hoss 
thief, eh ?” Sim cried mockingly ; but he was very 
careful to obey the command. 

The boys were hidden from view by the foliage, 
therefore the spies could not open battle with a hope 
of success. 

“ It don’t make any difference what I turned, so 
long as I don’t want your company. There are 
three of us here, an’ each one can see his target. 
I promise that all hands will fire if you come a 
single step nearer !” 

“You’re carryin’ matters with a pretty high 
hand, young feller, an’ it may be you’re makin’ a 
mistake.” 

“ Yes, things are apt to turn out different from 
what we expect,” Josh replied mockingly, “as most 


CLOSE QUARTERS, 


95 


likely you’ll learn when you try to persuade folks 
you’re an honest man.” 

There was no reply to this ; but the spies changed 
their position, and it was no longer possible for the 
boys to see them. 

“ Are they creeping up on us ?” Ben whispered 
nervously. 

“ Most likely,” Josh replied quietly ; “ but it’ll be 
kinder tough for either one that I get a sight of, if 
he comes any nearer.” 

During the next ten minutes the boys listened 
intently, but not a sound could be heard, save when 
the mule lifted up her voice in salutation to the 
animals ridden by the spies. 

Suddenly the crack of a musket rang out, fol- 
lowed by a commotion among the horses, and Ben 
said with a mirthless laugh : 

“ They don’t shoot very well ; I didn’t so much 
as hear the bullet.” 

‘‘ An’ good reason for it !” Josh cried excitedly. 
“The sneaks are tryin’ to kill our beasts! They 
count on cripplin’ us so we can’t keep on, an’ then 
slippin’ off without a scratch.” 

“Much good that will do them. I don’t believe 
they’d risk their skins simply for revenge.” 

“ Kevenge ? It’s safety they’re after. So long as 
we can follow at as good a pace as they, it’s possible 
for us to spoil any game they may try to play, an’ 
at a time when discovery might mean a halter for 
both.” 

Ben and Ned now understood to what lengths 


96 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT YORKTOWN. 


the spies would go in order to insure their own 
safety, and neither could repress a shudder of 
apprehension at the thought that the odds were in 
favor of the men just then. 

“ I’m goin’ to move the bosses further back in 
the woods,” Josh whispered. ‘‘ You two are to stay 
here an’ keep the sharpest kind of a sharp watch. 
Shoot if you have the chance to draw a bead, an’ 
shoot to kill, for that’s what they’ll do.” 

He crept cautiously back toward where the ani- 
mals had been left, and his companions could not 
but admire his courage, for he was proceeding 
directly toward that part of the thicket where the 
spies would be best able to shoot him down. 

There was no time to watch Josh. Their own 
lives depended upon the strictness of the guard 
they kept, and both boys sat silent and almost 
motionless, their eyes glancing quickly from point 
to point. 

Therefore it was that when the report of a 
musket was heard, followed almost immediately by 
a cry of pain, they did not know who had fired, or 
who was wounded. 

“ Are you all right, Josh ?” Hed asked in a low 
tone, without turning his head. 

There was another report, and Master Higgins 
replied quietly : 

“ There’s nothin’ the matter with me ; but Bart 
Hodgkins has got somethin’ of mine in his shoul- 
der.” He pa, used an instant, and then added in a 
louder tone, Come on, boys, I can see both the 
villains ! Hurry, an’ you’ll get a shot !” 


CLOSE qUAUTEBS. 


97 


“ Why don’t you fire Ned asked as he and Ben 
quickly obeyed the summons. 

“ Because my gun ain’t loaded. Hurry, an’ you’ll 
get a shot at Sim !” 

Josh had hardly ceased speaking when the other 
boys were by his side ; but the favorable opportu- 
nity to cripple their enemy had passed. 

Sim, understanding that the tables were turned, 
and that he was now the hunted instead of the 
hunter, darted behind a tree, dragging Bart with 
him. 

He was in a position from which he could neither 
advance nor retreat without the certainty of becom- 
ing a target for the three boys, and Josh could not 
restrain his exultation. 

“The old fox is trapped at last, an’ I’ve had a 
hand in doin’ it !” he cried gleefully, while from be- 
hind his shelter Sim screamed in a rage : 

“ I’ll have your heart’s blood some day, to pay for 
this, you young whelp !” 

“ So long as you can’t have it now, I ain’t very 
much worried. I’m goin’ to set right here with my 
finger on the trigger, an’ at the first move you 
make, will put an end to your spyin’ !” Then, 
keeping his eyes fixed upon the tree which hid Sim 
from view, he beckoned Ben and Ned to his side, 
whispering when they had obeyed, “ Now’s your 
chance to make up for my mistake this mornin’. 
You two lead our bosses back into the path, get the 
ones Sim an’ Hodgkins rode, an’ be ready to make 
a quick start when I come out of the bushes,” 


98 


WITH LAFA YETTE AT YOUKTOWN. 


“ He’d shoot 3^ou before you could run so far.” 

“That’s a chance I’ve got to take ; but my gun’s 
loaded now. It’ll be dark mighty soon, an’ then 
he’ll easily get off, so what’s done must be hurried.” 

The boys did not wait to argue. He had already 
shown his ability as a leader, and neither hesitated 
about obeying him. 

As a means of distracting Sim’s attention from 
any noise they might make, Josh began shouting 
derisively at the man, reminding him from time to 
time that he would soon be in a worse condition 
than Hodgkins, and the sp3^ became so angry that 
he could not refrain from replying. 

Therefore it is possible that neither of the men 
had any suspicions of what was being done until 
Josh, who concluded sufficient time had elapsed for 
his commands to be executed, suddenly started at 
full speed toward the road. 

Ben and Hed, each mounted and holding one of 
the spies’ horses by the bridle, were waiting the 
appearance of their comrade. 

“Bide on the best you know how !” Josh cried as 
he seized the bridle of the mule. “ I’ll hang behind 
a bit to make certain Sim don’t have a chance to 
shoot !” 

“ Be careful of yourself !” Hed cried as he urged 
his horse forward, “ There’s no need to take risks, 
now we’ve got the best of ’em.” 

Josh waited until a crashing of the underbrush 
told of Sim’s whereabouts, and then he fired in that 
direction, mounting the next instant. 


CLOSE qUAJRTERS. 


99 


It was rather too dangerous to stop for the pur- 
pose of ascertaining if his chance shot had taken 
effect. Ben and Ned were already hidden from 
view in the distance, and he spurred the mule to a 
sudden burst of speed. 

Not until they had emerged from the rocky path 
on to the highway would Josh allow his companions 
to slacken the pace, and then he said : 

“ I reckon we can pull up a bit now. It must be 
six miles from here to the place where we left them 
fellers, an’ with Bart wounded as he is, they won’t 
travel very fast.” 

“ How far are we to tow these nags ? ’ 

“ Till we settle down for the night. Of course we 
don’t want to carry ’em off ; but we’ll take precious 
good care Sim Perkins can’t get his hands on either 
for a spell.” 

Did you hit when you fired last ?” 

‘‘ I guess not. He was hid in the bushes, an’ I 
allowed it wouldn’t be healthy for me to wait till 
he showed himself. Say, don’t you reckon he’s 
ragin’ ’bout this time?” 

“ He has good cause for almost anything in that 
line,”.Ned replied with a hearty laugh. “ Say, Josh, 
if we do get through this journey all right, you must 
have the entire credit.” 

“ I don’t deserve it ; I’m havin’ some terrible good 
luck just now, an’ that accounts for what’s 
happenin’.” 


100 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT 70UKT0WN. 


CHAPTEE YIII. 

S W A. P P I N G H O R S E S . 

Believing it would be impossible for the spies to 
overtake them, the young messengers rode leisurely 
along, as was necessary they should do in view of 
the exhausted condition of the horses. 

Iced’s steed appeared more nearly winded than 
the others, and as the journey was continued he 
staggered from side to side, until the rider said as 
he came to a halt : 

“ It’s no use to think of going further with this 
horse, until after he’s had a long rest. He has 
grown more tired in the last half hour than during 
the hot ride of the morning.” 

“ But he hasn’t been pushed hard since dinner,” 
and Ben gazed at the animal critically. 

‘‘ I know it, and yet look at him; it seems as if he 
could hardly keep on his feet.” 

Josh had given no particular attention to either 
of the animals since having left the spies behind ; 
but he now examined ISTed’s steed carefully. 

“ Take the saddle off,” he said, as the rider dis- 
mounted. “ The boss isn’t winded by travelin’, an’ 
I reckon you’ll find that Sim’s bullet struck him. 
The beasts made a great fuss when the shot was 


SWAPPING HORSES. 


101 


fired, but I allowed at the time that it was only 
because of the noise.” 

Ben and Ned both looked the horse over ; but 
without discovering any wound until the saddle had 
been removed, and then everything was explained. 

A bullet had passed through the saddle-cloth, 
striking the poor beast between the ribs, and the 
only wonder was that he had managed to travel so 
far. 

‘‘There’s no hope for him,” Josh said in a tone of 
regret. “ Better take off the bridle before he drops, 
an’ now it’s a case of usin’ Sim’s boss. It’s only a 
swap, an’ he gets the beast he’s marked.” 

Ned was decidedly affected b}^ the fate of the 
animal which had been a pet of his, and Josh 
understood that there was danger of his giving way 
to grief if they remained to see the steed die. 

“ Better him, than one of us,” he said sharply. 
“War ain’t a very fine thing when the killin’ part 
is shown up, an’ 1 don’t really suppose its right to 
feel so bad ’bout a boss while hundreds of human 
bein’s are wiped out with more cruel wounds than 
this. The kindest thing you can do, Ned, is to send 
a bullet into his brain.” 

“I reckon you’re right, but T can’t do it. He 
and I have been together so long we’re old friends ; 
that horse seemed to know when 1 was unhappy at 
home, and did his best to cheer me. I haven’t the 
heart to kill him.” 

“You mustn’t let such thoughts come into your 
head while there’s so much for us to do,” and now 


102 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT YORKTOWN. 


Josh spoke more sharply. ‘‘Put your saddle an’ 
bridle on Sim’s boss, an’ ride ahead. I’ll overtake 
you in a few minutes.” 

Ked harnessed the spy’s steed in silence. Then 
approaching the wounded animal, he kissed the 
velvet-like muzzle, and turned quickly away. 

Josh and Ben both understood and respected his 
grief. The latter rode by his side while the former 
remained behind, and a few moments later the 
report of a musket-shot told that the faithful animal 
was no longer in misery. 

When Josh overtook his companions he was care- 
ful not to refer to what had been done, but said 
gruffly : 

“We can’t afford to loaf ’round here. It stands 
us in hand to find a haltin’ place before dark, an’ I 
don’t feel jest easy ’bout stayin’ so near Sira.” 

“Do you count on his being able to follow on 
foot, while Hodgkins is wounded, as far as we have 
come already V Ben asked. 

“ It’s jest possible he might leave Bart behind for 
a spell, an’ push ahead in the hope of findin’ us. 
We’ll ride half a dozen miles more, an’ then 
pull up.” 

Master Higgins took the lead, and the young 
messengers rode at a brisk trot an hour longer, when 
Josh turned aside into a thick grove of hemlock. 

Bart’s horse had been brought thus far, but it 
was not Josh’s purpose to keep him any longer, for 
he would only retard their progress when the 
journey was resumed next day. 


SWAPPING HORSES. 


103 


Little time was spent in making preparations for 
the night. The air was warm and balmy, therefore 
the boys needed only such a shelter as would pro- 
tect them from the heavy dews, and this was ready 
at hand in the low-hanging branches of the trees. 

As a matter of course no grass grew in the grove, 
but the grain which had been brought so far 
afforded a supply of food for three of the horses, 
and the fourth was turned loose to forage for 
himself. 

Josh produced the corn cake he brought from the 
inn, and although it had been broken and crumbled 
almost as fine as before the meal was cooked, the 
boys ate it with a relish such as only hunger can 
give. 

That night Josh insisted a watch should be kept, 
although his companions believed such a precaution 
useless. 

“ It won’t be so very hard for either of us, ’cause 
we’ll stay on duty only an hour at a time.” 

“But why do even that?” Ben asked petulantly. 
“ It isn’t possible Sim can overtake us between now 
and morning, and we need all the sleep we can get.” 

“ It’s best to be on the safe side. We have already 
had considerable proof of how easily we might be 
stopped on the journey, and I think we’d better 
follow Josh’s advice.” Ned said decidedly. “ I’ll 
stand the first watch, and you need not be 
awakened until after bottling up two full hours of 
sleep. 

Josh seemed to consider that this settled the 


104 


WITH LAFA YETTE AT TOBKTOWN. 


matter, for he immediately laid down under a tree, 
and, as usual, was soon slumbering soundly. 

Nothing occurred to cause alarm during the 
night, however, and when morning came once more 
the journey was resumed as soon as it was suffi- 
ciently light to discern surrounding objects. 

After riding three or four miles they arrived at a 
house where breakfast was procured, and then, 
their minds set at rest regarding the possibilities of 
being overtaken by Sim, the young messengers rode 
at a rapid pace until noon. 

During the ensuing eight days nothing occurred 
to break the monotony of the journey. 

The country through which they traveled was so 
thickly settled that there was no difficulty in pro- 
curing food for themselves and steeds, and, as 
Josh said, that which had promised to be such a 
dangerous journey, had ‘‘settled down into a reg’lar 
pleasure trip.” 

At Philadelphia they remained one night at a 
hotel, but no halt was made in Baltimore, through 
which they passed during the early part of the 
day. 

No difficulty was experienced in crossing the 
Potomac River, since they were on the highway, 
and the ferryman did not appear to think it strange 
three boys should be traveling alone. 

Nearly all whom they talked with professed to 
be devoted to the Colonial cause, and information 
regarding the course to Richmond was readily 
imparted. 


SWAPPING EOnSES. 


105 


Young men from different portions of the country 
had preceded them to join Lafayette’s forces, and 
the inhabitants saw nothing strange in three able- 
bodied youths doing the same service for their 
country. 

The boys were told of sixty young men from the 
vicinity of Fredericksburg, who brought with them 
not only uniforms, arms and ammunition, but horses 
as well, when they enlisted under Lafayette, and the 
people spoke in terms of greatest admiration of the 
Baltimore Troop of Light Dragoons, which had 
volunteered when men were sorely needed. 

As the young messengers neared the Pamunkey 
River they heard more of General Cornwallis’ 
movements, and every one with whom they talked 
warned them to have a care lest Tarleton, who had 
terrorized the country by his dashing raids, should 
capture them. 

There was no longer any reason to conceal their 
purpose. Josh boldly announced that they were on 
their way to join the gallant French ofl&cer who had 
given his services to the struggling colonists, and 
wherever such fact was announced food and shelter 
was provided freely. R’o payment was exacted by 
the inhabitants, save when the boys stopped at an 
hotel, and they oftentimes carried from a halting- 
place sufficient in the way of provisions to serve them 
twenty-four hours. 

The steeds, generously fed and carefully attended, 
were in good condition to answer readily the calls 
made by their riders, and the travelers advanced 
rapidly. 


106 


WITH LAFA 7ETTE AT YORKTOWN. 


“ If we get any praise for doin’ this kind of a job, 
it’ll be what we don’t deserve,” Josh said the second 
morning after they left Bowling Green. “ Except 
for the work of remainin’ in the saddle day after 
day, it’s no more than sport.” 

“It wasn’t when we first started,” Ben replied 
with a laugh. 

“ That was because the crop of tories is bigger up 
our way ; down here nearly everybody is ready to 
yell himself hoarse in honor of General Lafayette,” 
Josh replied. 

“ Unless we are precious careful from this out, we 
shall find ourselves among those who don’t give the 
French officer much honor,” Ned said grimly. “We 
are getting uncomfortably near General Cornwallis’ 
forces, and perhaps we’d better not do too much 
crowing until we are certain we shan’t fall into his 
clutches.” 

“Before night we should pass through New 
Castle, where the king’s troops were last May, 
according to the stories the people tell, and it is 
just possible we may find them there again,” Ben 
suggested, but Josh did not believe there was any 
reason for alarm. 

“We have been told that we’d find General 
Lafayette somewhere on the Pamunkey Biver, an’ 
if he’s so near there isn’t much chance Cornwallis 
can be in this section.” 

“ Why not ?” Ned asked. “ The Colonial forces 
are not strong enough to give him battle, as he well 
knows, and we may suddenly find ourselves between 
two fires.” 


SWAPPim HORSES. 


107 


“ In that case our proper course is to steer clear 
of the redcoats, an’ do our best to help the 
Colonials.” 

When the boys halted on this night it was at a 
farmhouse, where they learned that General Lafay- 
ette’s army was following down the course of the 
river, and twelve hours of hard riding should bring 
them to the American camp. 

It was rumored that the English forces had 
returned to Yorktown, after an absence of only 
three weeks, and, if such information could be 
relied upon, the mission of the New Hampshire boys 
was well-nigh accomplished. 

When they set out at an early hour next morning 
Josh was in the highest spirits. Eiders and horses 
were in good condition for the day’s work, and by 
nightfall he believed the information which Colonel 
Scammell had sent to General Lafayette would be 
delivered. 

“It won’t be long now before we’re reg’lar 
soldiers !” he cried triumphantly as the three rode 
side by side at a sharp pace. “If we haven’t had 
luck since the day Sim Perkins stole your bosses, I 
don’t know what to call it, an’ I’m the one what 
gets the most out of this job 1” 

“ How do you figure that ?” Ned asked laughingly. 

“ Wh}^, I hadn’t anything when I started — before 
we got the mule, I mean — an’ when we enlist you 
can’t be more of a soldier than I am, so I’ve gained 
everything, even to a mule and equipment.” 

“I don’t believe we shall find it very easy to 


108 WITH LA ITA YETTB A T YOUKTO WIT. 


make the French officer credit our story. In 
that case it may be some time before you are in 
the ranks.” 

“ I shall be with the American army, at all 
events, an’ that’s a long ways ahead of scurryin’ 
’round the country at risk of bein’ picked up by a 
tory like Sim Perkins, or a Britisher like Tarleton.” 

“Sim hasn’t done much picking up lately. I 
wonder where he is by this time ?” 

“It’s likely he went to lAew York. He couldn’t 
travel far without bosses, an’ I reckon Bart was 
hurt so bad he w^on’t feel like ridin’ much for quite 
a spell.” 

“ Then you believe we’ve seen the last of Sim ?” 

“ Yes, unless we stay down here a long while. 
It’ll take him a good many days to get this far 
alone.” 

Josh was so confident there was no longer any 
reason to fear the spy that the other boys dismissed 
the matter from their minds entirely. 

It is true they had not been troubling themseh^es 
about Sim during these last few days, but now, they 
were so near the American lines, it was but natural 
to at least give him a passing thought. 

As they progressed, more definite information re- 
garding General Lafayette’s forces was obtained, 
and when, just at sunset, they were halted by a 
scouting force of twenty men, their happiness was 
complete. 

“ Hurrah !” Josh cried as the command was heard. 
“We’ve done it at last, an’ now who can stop us 
from enlistin’ 


SWAPPING HOnSES 


109 


“ Who are you the leader of the party asked 
when the young messengers were surrounded by 
the troopers. 

“Boys from New Hampshire!” Josh replied 
excitedly. “We’ve come all the way to find 
General Lafayette !” 

“From New Hampshire to Virginia?” the officer 
cried in surprise. “What do you want of the 
general ?” 

“ We’re goin’ to enlist.” 

The men looked astonished, and the leader asked 
sternly : 

“ Do you mean to say you have come such a dis- 
tance simply to enlist ?” 

“That’s the biggest part of our' business; but 
we’ve got a message for the general before we turn 
soldiers.” 

It was evident the explanation was not believed, 
for at a signal from the officer the troopers pressed 
more closely to prevent any possibility of escape, 
and their leader asked sternly : 

“ If you were so anxious to enlist, why did you 
not join General Washington’s forces ?” 

“ Because we had to bring a message to General 
Lafayette.” 

“Where is it?” and the officer held out his 
hand. ' 

“ It’s only somethin’ we’re to say to him.” 

“ Oh, it is, eh ? How long since you left York- 
town ?” . 

“Yorktown?” Josh repeated in suprise. “We 


110 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT YORKTOWN, 


haven’t been there; that’s the place we’ve been 
try in’ to keep away from.” 

Why ?” 

“ Because Cornwallis is there.” 

“ How do you know ?” 

“ That’s what the people have told us.” 

“ It seems to me you gain considerable informa- 
tion of military movements while traveling from 
Hew Hampshire. It isn’t many days since we 
learned of Cornwallis’ whereabouts, and I can’t 
think Hew Hampshire people know more of what 
is going on down here than we, who have been 
following the Britishers so long.” 

Josh began to realize that he had been unwise in 
his manner of making explanations, for it was evi- 
dent the suspicions of the troopers were aroused, 
and instead of seeing General Lafayette at once 
he might find it very difficult to bring about an 
interview. 

“We left the headquarters of the Colonial forces 
on the Hudson Biver nine days ago,” he said 
seriously, “ an’ have ridden at our best pace since 
then in order to repeat certain words to General 
Lafayette. It can do no harm to let us see him, and 
a delay now might cause trouble.” 

“ You mean for yourselves. Spies do not care to 
remain in an enemy’s camp any longer than is ab- 
solutely necessary.” 

“ But we are not spies !” Ben cried vehementl3^ 
“ My father is a lieutenant in Colonel Scammell’s 
light infantry.” 


* SWAPPim HORSES, 


111 


“ Why did you not remain with him 

Josh motioned for Ned to speak, and the latter 
said in an earnest, respectful tone : 

“ There is good reason why you should be suspi- 
cious, sir ; but I beg you will report to the general 
the fact of our being here, and leave it for him to 
decide whether he will see us or not. Our coming 
to this place is not strange when the circumstances 
are known. We started from New Hampshire to 
join the Colonial forces at Dobb’s Ferry ; but on 
arriving there were sent at once on a mission to 
your general.’’ 

“ Are you enlisted men ?” 

“ No, sir ; but we shall enlist at once.” 

“ And you want me to believe that General 
Washington would send three boys as messengers, 
when he could as well have despatched an old 
soldier ?” 

“ It don’t make any difference what you believe !” 
Ben cried, losing all control of his temper. “We 
have told the truth, and only ask that you repeat 
the story to the general. It is for him to decide 
wh}^ we were sent.” 

Josh realized that hasty words would not forward 
their cause, and attempted to ride to Ben’s side ; 
but those nearest prevented him. 

The three were close prisoners, and it was evident 
the}'- would not be allowed to hold communication 
with each other. 

The officer spoke a few words to one of the men, 
and then said sternly : 


112 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT TORETOWN. 


“You will deliver up your weapons, and consider 
yourselves prisoners.” 

“ There couldn’t have been any mistake as to the . 
last, from the moment you first surrounded us,” Ben 
said hotly, and Josh tried in vain to prevent him, 
by gestures, from giving wa}^ to his anger. 

“ rt doesn’t seem as if there was any necessity for 
so much severity,” Ned added quietly, as he handed 
his musket to the nearest man. “ One would think, 
after so long and dangerous a journey, we might be 
given the benefit of a doubt until you can learn 
more about us.” 

“The fact that you are not already hanged to the 
nearest tree shows that we are giving you the 
benefit of the doubt,” the officer replied as he rode 
off a short distance, and three soldiers took charge 
of the boys. 

“It’s a wonder you don’t deprive us of our 
horses,” Ben cried when the soldier seized his 
bridle-rein, thus forcing him to follow. “ The Con- 
tinentals have done that for us once already, and 
you may as well continue the same course.” 

“If you had friends in General Washington’s 
camp, how does it happen you were made pris- 
oners?” the man asked suspiciously, and Ben 
realized how much harm he was doing by giving 
way to his ill-temper. 

“We were not made prisoners; our horses were 
taken, that is all,” he added quickly. 

“ Yes, that is all,” the man said mockingly. 
“Well, I reckon you need watching, if the troops 


SWAPPING HORSES. 


113 


to which you say your father belongs took your 
horses.’’ 

“See here, Ben,” Josh said sharply, “by telling 
only a portion of our story you give these men good 
cause to believe us spies. They may be our ac- 
cusers, but they can’t be our judges, an’ the proper 
course is to wait until we are where everything can 
be explained.” 

Ben knew by this time how unwise he had been, 
and remained silent until they arrived at the camp. 

Here the boys were closely guarded by two of the 
men, while the third disappeared, probably to make 
a report, and night had covered the earth with dark- 
ness when the guards were given orders as to the 
disposition of the prisoners. 

It was not to be expected that an army while on 
the march would be provided with what would 
serve as a guardhouse, and the young messengers 
were taken to the very center of the encampment, 
where permission to dismount was given. 

Two soldiers with muskets loaded and primed 
stood guard in front of the boys, who had thrown 
themselves on the ground, weary and disappointed, 
while hundreds of men passed and repassed as they 
gazed curiously at the supposed spies. 

“Anybody would fancy we were monkeys on 
exhibition,” Hed said bitterly. “ I wonder if these 
men never saw Hew Hampshire boys before ?” 

“I reckon all hands in the camp will come 
between now an’ mornin’ to see if it is possible to 
recognize us,” Josh replied. “You fellers seem to 


114 


WITH LAW A YETTE AT TORKTOWN. 


think we’re in a tight place ; but that’s all wrong. 
General Lafayette ain’t such a fool as the officer 
who captured us, an’ he’ll give us a chance to tell 
our story.” 

“I’ve made the matter worse by getting angry,” 
Ben said despondently. 

‘‘ If 3"ou were in Cornwallis’ camp it might do to 
act as if your last day had come,” Master Higgins 
replied with a laugh. “ I know it’s kinder rough to 
stay here, when we should be havin’ the best these 
fellers have got ; but our turn will come to-morrow, 
an’ then the idiot who arrested us will be glad to 
beg our pardon.” 

^‘It isn’t impossible the general may refuse to 
see us,” Ned suggested. 

“ He might, if he was different from what I take 
him to be ; but a man what’ll come so far jest to 
help us against the king can’t be a fool, so we’ll see 
him in the mornin’.” 

Then Josh rolled over on his back, with his hands 
under his head, and before another remark could be 
made was apparently wrapped in slumber. 


GENEMAL LAFAYETTE. 


115 


CHAPTEE IX. 

GENEEAL LAFAYETTE. 

The young messengers had fancied that the first 
night spent in the American camp would be a 
season of great rejoicing, amid which they would 
stand out brilliantly as heroes, although exactly 
why this should be neither had any verj’ clear idea. 

They were sufiiciently prominent, but it was as 
supposed spies instead of boys who had accom- 
plished some great task by which their country was 
to be benefited, and were more uncomfortable, 
both in mind and body, than at any time since 
leaving Portsmouth. 

Spending the night on the hard ground in the 
open air was not conducive to repose, and before 
them ever was the knowledge that the guard would 
readily open fire if they should overstep the bounds 
set as their prison. 

Although Josh had pretended to make light of the ^ 
situation, and professed to believe there would be a 
radical change as soon as the morning dawned, his 
companions understood that he was far from being 
lighthearted. 

He had apparently fallen asleep immediately 
after lying down, but, ten minutes later, Ben noticed 
that his eyes were open. 


116 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT TORKTOWIT. 


“Thinking of what you will say when General 
Lafayette gets down on his knees to beg your 
pardon because his men arrested you as a spy 
Ben asked grimly. 

“ It wasn’t exactly that ; I was tryin’ to make up 
my mind whether I’d stay here with these fellers, 
or go back to General Washington’s camp.” 

“ There must be considerable smooth talking done 
before you’ll be at liberty to go anywhere. I made 
such a fool of myself, whining about our horses 
having been seized at Dobb’s Ferry, that we shall 
have the hardest kind of work to make the officers 
here believe anything we say.” 

“It can be done, though,” Josh replied confi- 
dently. “ When a feller is tellin’ the straight truth, 
he’s bound to make folks understand that he ain’t 
lyin’.” 

“ Therefore you feel perfectly content to be on 
exhibition in this camp as a spy ?” - FTed asked 
bitterly. 

“Well, I can’t say exactly that. I’d rather have 
a couple of blankets an’ somethin’ to eat ; but so 
long as I must do without both, there’s considerable 
\ satisfaction in know in’ these fellers will soon feel 
bad ’cause they treated us in this way.” 

“ I’d rather they felt now like making us some- 
where near comfortable.” 

“Look here, boys,” and Josh arose to a sitting 
posture, “ if it would do any good to whine 'bout this 
thing, I’d join in with you till the camp fairly 
bowled ; but so long as it won’t, I go in for makin’ 


GENERAL LAE A TETTE. 


117 


the best of it. Even s’posin’ we was to be hanged 
as spies, how much better off should we be by 
frettin’ an’ fumin’ over it ? Things will come out 
all right at some time or other, an’ if they don’t 
after Ave’ve told our story to the general, there’s 
nothin’ we can do to straighten ’em.” 

Then Master Higgins laid down again, and fell 
asleep, or pretended to do so. 

Ben and Hed were quite confident it would be 
impossible for them to lose consciousness in slumber ; 
but when they stretched out at full length because 
such positions were a trifie more comfortable than 
sitting upright, sleep began to overpower them, and 
finally both were in the land of dreams. 

It was daylight, although the sun had not yet 
risen, when Ben awakened, and Josh was talking 
in a friendly manner with one of the guards. 

“ How long have you been up ?” Ben asked. 

“An hour or so.” 

“ Are we to have breakfast ?” 

“ I reckon there won’t be any trouble about 
gettin’ as much to eat as the soldiers themselves 
have, an’ that ought to satisfy us.” 

“Almost anything would taste good.” 

“ It’ll come in time,” Josh replied confidently, 
and then he resumed his conversation with the 
soldier. 

It could readily be seen that Master Higgins had 
gained the confidence of at least one of the men, for 
this particular guard no longer scowled upon his 
prisoners, and even his comrade appeared quite 
friendly. 


118 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT 70RKT0WN. 


Eed was awake before Josh ceased talking with 
the soldier, and when the conversation had come to 
an end the former asked in a low tone : 

“ Have you found out what they are going to do 
with us 

“ Of course he don’t know as much as that, but 
he says we’ll most likely have a chance to tell our 
story to the officer of the day, although all the men 
believe us to be spies sent by Cornwallis.” 

“ They are bound to let us see General Lafayette, 
no matter who we are.” 

“ That doesn’t follow. They might give us a 
trial, with no chance to tell our story to any except 
the officers of the court.” 

“ But Colonel Scammell told us we were to repeat 
the words to no one but the general himself.” 

“ An’ we shall obey orders, no matter what is 
threatened,” Josh said decidedly. “ They shan’t 
frighten me, whatever the}^ do !” 

While the boys were talking a soldier brought 
them corn bread and water, and upon this poor fare 
they made a most appetizing breakfast, after which 
all three were disposed to take a less gloomy view 
of the situation. 

An hour later a squad of six men came up, and 
the boj^s were escorted to a tent not many yards 
from where they spent the night. 

Here they found four officers, the highest in rank 
being a colonel, and Josh whispered triumphantly 
to Hed: 

“This ain't a reg’lar court, that’s certain, for I’ve 


OENEUAL IAEA YETTE. 


119 


heard how they run such things in the army. ]^ow 
we’ll get a chance to tell our story in proper 
shape.” 

“You’d better do the talking; we can’t trust 
Ben to keep his temper, and I’m nowhere by the 
side of you.” 

“ Back me up if I get stuck?” 

“ Of course.” 

“What are you whispering about?” the colonel 
asked sternly. “ Cooking up a stor}?- ?” 

“We were try in’ to settle which should do the 
talkin’,” Josh replied promptly. 

“ Why is there any necessity for that? If the 
truth is to be told, one can do it as well as another.” 

“ It seems so, don’t it ?” Josh asked innocently. 
“Yet when your men first made us prisoners last 
night we lost our temper, an’ what w-e had to say 
didn’t sound stramht, thouo’h it was true.” 

Gy o 

“ You confessed you had been made prisoners 
once before by the colonial forces, and your horses 
taken from you.” 

“Yes, sir.” 

“ You pretended to have a message from General 
Washington.” 

“No, sir. We never saw General Washington; 
but we Aave got a message from Colonel Scammell 
to General Lafayette, and are to repeat it to no 
one but him.” 

“ When was this message given you ?” 

“ See here, mister ; won’t you please let me tell 
the whole story from the time I first met these two 


120 


WITH LA FA TETTB AT YOUKTOWN. 


fellers and Josh spoke very earnestly now. “ It 
needn’t take half as long as for you to ask all these 
questions, an’ you’ll understand it better.” 

The gentlemen appeared greatly amused by J osh’s 
manner of making the request, and the colonel 
gave him permission to do as he wished. 

He began by saying : 

“ In the first place, these two fellers are way up 
above me ; they’ve got equipments, an’ all that sort 
of thing, while I haven’t. When I first met ’em I’d 
been bangin’ ’round the country doin’ whatever jobs 
I could find that would pay my way, an’ gettin’ a 
pretty slim livin’ the most of the time.” 

Then, after going into details regarding his meet- 
ing with Ben and Hed, Josh related the story of 
their travels in a manner which interested his hear- 
rs greatly. 



^ He spoke of the encounter with the spies ; told 
several anecdotes not greatly to Sim’s credit, and 
described the recovery of the horses and seizure of 
the mule at Bennington, in a most comical fashion. 
He referred to his great desire to enlist ; of how 
his hopes were dashed when they received such a 
disappointing reception at Dobb’s Ferry. He 
described his joy at finally having an opportunity 
to purchase a position as a colonial soldier, and 
related all the incidents of the journey from the 
Hudson to the Pamunkey Kiver. 

Fully half an hour had passed before he finished, 
and yet his auditors did not appear uneasy, or 
eager to bring the interview to an end. 


GENERAL LAEA TETTE. 


121 


“ What we’ve got to say to the general don’t 
seem to ’mount to very much, ’cordin’ to my way of 
thinkin’ ; but we promised not to tell it to anybody 
else, an’ you can see we’re bound to keep our word.” 

This was the conclusion of Josh’s story, and the 
colonel looked at him sharply for an instant, after 
which he asked : 

“ Suppose I refuse to believe that you have told, 
until the message is repeated to me ?” 

“ Then you’d allers have to think I’m a liar, for 
it can’t be done,” Josh said mournfully, but 
decidedly. 

“ If I believe that, you will be tried, and probably 
condemned as a spy.” 

“ It’ll be kinder tough on us ; but we’ll know we 
only did what was right.” 

“ Are you willing to be hanged rather than tell 
us what Colonel Scammell confided to you ?” one of 
the other officers asked. 

“ I ain’t willing of course not ; but I’ll be hanged 
all the same, I s’pose.” 

The officers whispered together a short time, and 
then the colonel said sternly : 

“ I will believe all you have told, if the message 
is repeated now ; in case you refuse, a trial may be 
necessary, and death by hanging will probably be 
the result.” 

Ben looked thoroughly frightened ; he had 
fancied the officers believed Josh’s story, and this 
sudden change surprised quite as much as it 
alarmed him. 


122 


WITH LA FA YETTE A T YORKTO WN. 


'Ned stepped quickly to Josh’s side, took him by 
the hand, and faced their judges. 

“ Do you think it is better to die than repeat a 
few words which, it is admitted, have little or no 
meaning ?” the colonel asked sternly. 

“ Yes, sir,” Ned said firmly, and Josh nodded in 
approval. “ Y ou’d let Ben go, of course, because 
he’s got a father an’ mother, an’ we’re willin’ to 
bear all the blame.” 

“It may be too late to retreat from the bold 
stand you have taken, after this interview is closed.” 

“We don’t intend to retreat, sir. If it was 
possible, we’d tell what you want to know ; but we 
promised Colonel Scammell, and of course it can’t 
be done.” 

“ There’s one thing certain,” Josh added, “ we’re 
not spies, an’ have never seen the English camp.” 

“ Yet you refuse to do as I command ?” 

“ It’s as Ned says, sir, we canH, an’ that ends it.” 

“Hold on. Colonel Stewart,” one of the officers 
interrupted. “It is cruel to try the brave lads 
further. There is no question but that these two,” 
and he pointed to Josh and Ned, “ would go to the 
gallows rather than reveal their secret- I am proud 
to know they raise such boys in New Hampshire.” 

Josh was at a loss to understand the full meaning: 
of this remark but he said quickly : 

“ I’m about the poorest they have up that way, 
sir; but even 1 know what it means to make a 
promise.” 

“ I agree with the captain, that you have been 


GENERAL LAFAYETTE. 


123 


tried sufficiently,” Colonel Stewart said as he held 
out both hands to the boys. “ You are braver than 
a good many men, and your friend need not reproach 
himself if he did not come out of the ordeal as well ; 
it was a hard test.” 

“Then you don’t believe we are spies?” Josh 
asked in surprise, just beginning to gel an inkling of 
the true state of affairs. 

“ Not a bit of it ; neither do 1 want you to reveal 
that which is to be kept a secret. You showed so 
much courage I was tempted to learn whether you 
could be frightened into betraying your trust. It 
was not from idle curiosity, or to afford amusement, 
that I did it ; but to try your metal for a piece of 
work we want done very soon. Now you shall see 
the general, and I guarantee a hearty welcome after 
he learns of your bravery.” 

All present cordially greeted and congratulated 
the boys, not excepting Ben, although even he could 
see that they were in a certain degree less enthusi- 
astic regarding him than his comrades. 

Colonel Stewart gave the young messengers little 
time to realize their good fortune. Immediately after 
promising they should see General I^afayette, he left 
the tent, and returned before the officers had ceased 
speaking words of praise. 

“ You are to come with us,” he said, with a gesture 
to his comrades, and the entire party filed out, 
each of the men showing plainly that the young 
messengers were friends to be honored, rather than 
enemies. 


m 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT YOUKTOWN. 


It was a sort of triumphal procession, and Josh’s 
happiness was complete when they passed the officer 
who had arrested them the night previous. 

“ Say, mister !” he shouted, to the great amusement 
of those with him, ‘‘ there are some folks who believe 
three boys can be sent all the way down here on an 
honest errand.” 

The officer’s cheeks crimsoned, and he turned 
quickly away ; but Josh, who watched him closely, 
observed that he gazed after the party until they 
entered a tent with a flag above it, and with two 
sentries pacing to and fro in front. 

“ General, I have brought the messengers, as you 
commanded,” the colonel announced as they entered, 
and for the moment Josh believed he was beins: 
trifled with. 

A young man, not many years older than the 
boys from New Hampshire, advanced quickly, ex- 
tended his hands in the most friendly manner 
possible, and said with a peculiar accent : 

“ It is always a pleasure to meet with heroes, and 
in this country I have found many ; but none more 
brave than you.” 

Josh looked inquiringly from one to the other, 
and then critically at the uniform worn by the 
general. It seemed to him there must be some mis- 
take, and yet it was hardly possible soldiers would 
play a trick which could have no other purpose 
than to mislead for the moment three country lads. 

“Is it sure enough General Lafayette ?” he whis- 
pered to Colonel Stewart, and the general overhear- 
ing the question, laughed heartily. 


GENERAL LAFAYETTE. 


125 


“You expected to find an old man?” 

“ I didn't count on seein’ a — a ” 

“ Boy is what you would call me. You may do 
so, my friend ; I freely accord you the same privilege 
which General Cornwallis assumes. He also thinks 
and speaks of me as a bo}^. You have come from 
the brave General Washington, and have a message 
for me ?” 

Hed motioned for Josh to continue to act as 
spokesman, and the latter said with a slight show 
of nervousness : 

“We haven’t seen General Washington, sir. It 
was Colonel Scammell who ” 

“ Is it Colonel Alexander Scammell of whom you 
speak ?” 

“Yes, sir; he’s from Hew Hampshire, an’ Ben’s 
father is a lieutenant in his regiment.” 

“What is the message for which you were will- 
ing to deliver up your lives rather than give to any 
one but myself ?” 

“ Is it all right to say it now?” Josh asked dojnbt- 
ingly, looking significantly at the number present. 

“ There is no longer anything to fear, my friend. 
These gentlemen are in my confidence.” 

“ He told us to tell you about Sim Perkins ” 

“ That may be related at some future time,” 
Colonel Stewart interrupted, “ or I will tell it to the 
general at a more convenient season. It is the 
message which he is eager to hear.” 

“We were to say to you, sir,” and Josh drew his 
comrades to his side tnat it might appear as if all 


126 


WITH LAFA TETTE AT YORKTOWN. 


three were delivering the words, ‘ Clinton will be 
surprised when he learns the army has gone south.’ 
That’s all, sir.” 

Lafayette’s face lighted up suddenly, and then it 
was as if he checked himself, for he added quietly : 

“ Kepeat that once more, my friend, to avoid a 
mistake.” 

“ I’m certain it is right, sir, even though it don’t 
seem to ’mount to much for a fact. ‘ Clinton will 
be surprised when he learns the army has gone 
south.’ ” 

The young messengers had previously been 
astonished by the varying incidents of the day ; 
now they were bewildered by the sudden change 
which came over the occupants of4he tent. 

It was as if General Lafayette had suddenly taken 
leave of his senses; he alternately embraced the 
officers and danced from very joy, while every man 
seemed to think it necessary to congratulate his 
neighbor. During five minutes these soldiers be- 
haved very much like boys in a frolic, and then the 
general asked Josh : 

‘‘ Can you tell me when the army will leave ?” 

“Leave where, sir?” 

“When do they begin the journey? How long 
must we wait before they come ?” 

Josh was about to protest that he did not even 
understand the question, when, like a flash, came to 
his mind the meaning of the message they had 
brought so far. 

“We were not told anything, sir. We left the 


GENERAL LAFAYETTE. 


127 


camp a few hours after arriving ; but some of the 
soldiers said a ver\'' important move was about to be 
made, and strict watch was kept over every one who 
passed by on the road.” 

“The change of base is to be made at once!” the 
general cried in an ecstasy as he embraced Colonel 
Stewart vigorously. “ That which we have prayed 
for . is about to be accomplished. The movement 
must have been near at hand, otherwise the men 
would not have observed the preparations. At last 
the ‘ boy ’ can face my lord Cornwallis! Would 
that we had better information of his defenses !” 

“ It appears to me that we now have an excellent 
opportunity of gaining that which you wish, sir,” 
and Colonel Stewart glanced meaningly at the 
boys. 

“ It seems cruel to send them into such danger 
after what they have already endured,” the general 
replied thoughtfully. 

“ A brave man only asks as his reward another 
post of danger, and these may be boys in years, but 
they are men in point of courage.” 

“ You are correct, my dear colonel. Attend to 
the matter, and if it is done they shall be rewarded 
with something more than empty praise. For the 
present I confide them to you. Messengers who 
bring such good news should be treated royally.” 

“ They shall have whatever their fancies dictate, 
sir.” 

“I shall see you again, my friends,” the general 
said to the New Hampshire boys, once more press- 


128 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT TORKTOWN. 


ing their hands. “You have made me happy, very 
happy, and Colonel Stewart will attend to your 
comfort while you remain with us.” 

“I hope there’s no show of your sendin’ us away, 
sir,” Josh cried in alarm. “We have been promised 
a chance to enlist, an’ when Colonel Scammell comes 
he’s goin’ to see that I have what equipment is 
needed ; the other fellers are well fixed that way.” 

“ I shall be the one to provide your equipment, 
my brave lad, and had I the power, you would leave 
this tent with the badge of knighthood.” 

Then, waving them an adieu which was not only 
courteous but friendly, the general began convers- 
ing eagerly with his staff, while Colonel Stewart 
escorted the boys out of the tent. 

“ That makes the second feller what has promised 
me an equipment, an’ I ain’t a soldier yet,” Josh 
whispered in ISTed’s ear when they were in the open 
air. “ At this rate I’ll be gray-headed before I get 
into a uniform.” 

Colonel Stewart led the young messengers to his 
tent, and calling his body servant, an old negro, 
said : 

“These young gentlemen are my friends and 
guests. T fancy a generous breakfast will not come 
amiss to them, and if there is anything they want 
that can be procured, get it at once.” To the boys 
he added : “ You are free to go where you please 

and I will see to it that the men know how great a 
service you have rendered. The horses and arms 
which were taken from you will be returned at any 


GENERAL LAFAYETTE. 


129 


time you wish them. The general commanded me 
to attend to your comfort, and I hope you will 
make known your desires. Now I would like to 
leave you awhile; the news you brought will be 
discussed at headquarters, and I am eager to be 
there.” 

“It is not necessary you should stay with as, 
sir,” Ned replied. “We can do full justice to an- 
other breakfast, and then we would like to walk 
around the camp.” 

“Go where you wish and I will see you after 
your curiosity has been gratified.” 

Then the colonel took his departure, and the 
servant began bustling around to make his master’s 
guests as comfortable as possible, until Josh, who 
was rendered uneasy by so much attention, said : 

“ See here, we don’t want anythin’ but breakfast, 
an’ we ain’t countin’ on makin’ trouble for you. 
Jest let us lay ’round a spell as we like.” 

“ What is you gwine fur to eat, sah ?” 

“ It don’t make much difference, except that 
we’ve been livin’ on corn cake for quite a spell, an’ 
there’s no need of bringin’ any great lot of that, 
unless you’re short of other stuff.” 


130 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT TORKTOWN, 


CHAPTEK X. 

HONORED GUESTS. 

The boys had no reason to complain of lack of 
attention from the moment they left Colonel 
Stewart’s tent after the first interview. 

In order to cheer the disheartened men, the 
general caused it to be announced that the main 
body of the Continental army was marching south 
to crush Cornwallis, and no news could have been 
more cheering to soldiers who had been alternately 
pursuing and retreating before an enemy which 
they thought they ought not attack because of dis- 
parity in numbers. 

As a matter of course, instantly the announce- 
ment was made every one knew who had brought 
t?he glad tidings, and the boys were the heroes of 
the hour. 

Colonel Stewart’s servant not only considered it 
his duty to serve for this first breakfast everything 
eatable in his master’s larder, but borrowed from 
others until the meal was a veritable feast. 

“ It makes a good deal of difference in this camp 
whether a feller is a spy or a messenger from 
General Washington,” Josh said laughingly, as he 
tried in vain to eat all that was set before him. 


HONORED QUESTS. 


131 


“ Two hours ago corn bread was good enough for 
us, an’ now we’ve got more in one meal than I ever 
saw put out for a single breakfast.” 

“ You and Ned don’t really need anything to eat,” 
Ben said with a sigh. 

“ Why not ?” Josh asked in surprise. “ Don’t you 
s’pose we’re as hungry as you ?” 

“ That may be, but after all the praise you’ve had, 
it don’t seem as if you could think of anything as 
common as food.” 

“ What has been said about one, goes for all.” 

“ No, it doesn’t,” Ben replied emphatically. 
“ When they began to threaten that we should be 
hanged, I lost courage, and acted like a coward. 
From that minute you two were the ones to whom 
all the credit belonged.” 

“That is nonsense,” Ned said sharply. “Was 
there any difference in the way we were received 
by General Lafayette ?” 

“ Perhaps not ; but that was because he hadn’t 
seen me when the threats were made. I under- 
stood it all when you were being congratulated in 
this tent.” 

“ Now don’t be foolish, Ben,” and Ned threw his 
arm around the boy’s neck. “It was Josh who 
covered himself with glory, and I came out of the 
interview no better than you.” 

“ Didn’t you back up what he said, while I stood 
by like an idiot, with not a word to say 

Both his companions understood exactly how Ben 
felt, and during at least half an hour they did their 


132 


WITH LAFA YETTE AT YOBKTOWN, 


best to make him believe he was as high iu the 
estimation of the officers as any member of the 
party. 

They failed to succeed entirely in their efforts, 
but had the satisfaction of knowing he was cheered 
decidedly by the arguments used. 

Ned insisted that Josh was the only one who 
stood out particularly great on the occasion, while 
Master Higgins claimed that the credit was given 
to all alike, since he had acted simply as spokes- 
man. 

“ It was only my luck that you fellers let me do 
the talkin’,” he said impatiently. “What one said 
all meant, an’ I’m certain the officers see it that 
way. Instead of settin’ here moonin’ over such fool- 
ishness, I allow we’d better go out an’ look the 
camp over. We didn’t have a chance at Dobbs 
Ferry, an’ ought to make the most of our time now.” 

Since breakfast had been eaten there was nothing 
to keep the boys in the tent, and they strolled 
leisurely out, all unsuspicious of the reception 
which was in store for them. 

An hundred or more men had gathered in front 
of Colonel Stewart’s quarters, and instantly the 
young messengers made their appearance a deafen- 
ing shout was heard. 

“ Three cheers for the New Hampshire boys !” 
some one cried, and these were given with a will, 
the recipients of the honor standing silent and 
motionless, with reddening cheeks, until the tumult 
had subsided. 


HO m RED QUESTS. 


133 


Josh looked positively distressed, and was about 
to beat a hasty retreat^ but found his progress 
barred by the crowd. 

“ After what 3^ou lads have done, I don’t reckon 
you, can afford to show the white feather now you’re 
among friends,” one of the men shouted laughingly. 
‘‘ You didn’t act so scared when you stood a good 
chance of being hung as spies.” 

This remark was greeted with another volley of 
cheers, which brought to the scene all the idle men 
in camp, and half a dozen voices were heard high 
above the others insisting that the ^’^oung messen- 
gers tell the story of their long journey. 

Colonel Stewart, who had come out of the gen- 
eral’s tent to learn the cause of the tumult, said 
laughingly to Ned : 

“ There is nothing for it but to satisfy them, my 
boy. You must repeat the story, and will be for- 
tunate if you are not called upon to do the same 
thing many times to day. You are now under no 
pledge of secrecy, and everything may be told. 
The poor fellows, after so many hardships and 
deprivations, are entitled to hear the good news.” 

Then the colonel contrived to make his way back 
through the throng after some difficulty, and, 
the demands for the story increasing in vehemence, 
Ned said to Josh : 

“ You’ll have to. go ahead.” 

“ It’s your turn now ; I’ve said enough. If the 
spokesman is to get all the credit, one of you fellers 
must give the yarn.” 


134 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT YOR'KTOWN. 


There was no necessity for any controversy over 
the matter, because the soldiers settled the details 
to suit themselves. 

It would not be possible for all to hear a single 
speaker, so great were the numbers, and as if by 
common consent they divided into three parties, 
each section taking possession of one of the mes- 
sengers. 

It was noon before the boys were at liberty to 
follow their own inclinations, and then Josh beck- 
oned his comrades to his side. 

Obeying, they found Master Higgins seated near 
an old man on whose cheek was the scar of a newly 
healed sword-cut. 

“ Here’s a specimen of Tarleton’s work,” Josh 
said as he pointed to the wound. “ It strikes me 
we’ve been yarnin’ our full share, an’ now I propose 
the sergeant tell us what General Lafayette has 
been doin’ down here while we was growin’ old 
enough to come into the army.” 

“That’s the idea,” Hed cried enthusiastically as 
he and Ben seated themselves by the soldier’s side, 
and the remainder of the curious ones, having 
learned all the boys could tell them and not partic- 
ularly interested in a recital of their own actions, 
sauntered away to discuss the new phase of affairs. 

“ I ain’t any great of a story-teller,” the sergeant 
began, “an’ besides, it’s been about the same thing 
over an’ over ag’in all summer. We didn’t dare do 
much fightin’, for the Britishers outnumbered us 
three or four to one, but the ‘ boy’ hung mighty close 
to Cornwallis’ heels all the time.” 


EONOREL QUESTS. 


135 


^‘Tell us jest what you’ve been doin’ ?” Josh said 
eagerly. 

“ Well,” the old sergeant replied, with a slight 
show of hesitation, during which time he carefully 
filled a short, black pipe, “ I’ll begin with the day I 
jined General Lafayette’s forces, when he marched 
into Baltimore, an’ borrowed two thousand pounds 
from the folks there to buy outfits for his men. He 
hadn’t done anything very great then, an’ the 
troops were gettin’ well-nigh discouraged. A good 
many were desertin’, an’ it begun to look as if this 
part of the army would be broke up.” 

“ When was this ?” Ben asked. 

“ About the first of April. I was in a regiment 
from Massachusetts, what was sent out this way to 
fill up the gaps. The Baltimore folks treated us in 
great shape ; the women gave a big ball for the 
general, an’ then turned to an’ made us men shirts 
and blouses ; but all that didn’t soothe them as was 
pinin’ to get out of the trouble. 

“Before we left there the general hanged one 
man who was caught after havin’ deserted, an’ 
drummed another out of camp. Then he turned to 
an’ offered to let every mother’s son go home who 
applied to headquarters for a pass. That kinder 
knocked the cowardice outer the boys, an’ from that 
time till now we hain’t had any trouble in the way 
of desertions. 

“ It was the 19th of April when we left Baltimore, 
makin’ a forced march through Alexandria, Freder- 
icksburg and Bowling Green to Eichmond, where 


136 


WITH LAFA YETTE AT 70 RETOWN. 


we arrived ten hours ahead of the Britishers. 
There we stayed, not more than a thousand men ag’in 
four times that number, till May 2Tth, when Kich- 
mond was evacuated, an’ on the next day we was 
at Winston’s Bridge. From there we made good 
time, the Britishers close behind us, to Dandridge’s, 
where Goldmine Creek jines the South Anna. 

“On the 30th we started north, crossin’ the 
iS'orth Anna, an’ by June 2d struck Mattapony 
Church, an’ on the 4th crossed the Kapidan twenty 
miles above Fredericksburg, where we waited till 
General Wayne came up with his brigade, about the 
10th of June. After that we moved right lively, as 
you shall see. 

“ The first march took us to Boswell’s Tavern, an’ 
on the next day we struck through the woods, re- 
pairin’ the road as we went, until arrivin’ near Alle- 
gree’s, thirteen miles east of Charlottesville. About 
the 15th Cornwallis, who hadn’t done the miscliief 
he counted on, faced toward Bich mo nd, an’ we fol- 
lowed close behind. On the 17th we were at Dand- 
ridge’s again. Two days later General Steuben 
with four hundred an’ fifty men jined us, an’ when 
Cornwallis started for the coast once more, we kept 
at his heels. On the 23d we made up our minds 
the Britishers were goin’ to give us battle, an’ pretty 
nigh the whole army stood ready for action five or 
six hours. On the 24th we struck Bottom’s Bridge 
an’ camped at New Kent Court House next day. 

“ On the 26th we had a little skirmish six miles 
above Williamsburg, an’ it is said each side lost 


HONORED QUESTS. 


137 


about thirty, though I count as how the Britishers 
suffered more’n we did. Then we dodged back an’ 
forth, five miles this day, an’ ten next, till what 
with the heat an’ the continual marchin’, I was 
mighty nigh done up. 

“On the 6th of July came the battle of Green 
Spring, an’ it seemed good to have a little fightin’ 
after so much runnin’ ’round. It’ll have to be said 
we was licked, but it wasn’t sich a terrible thrashin’ 
that Cornwallis could afford to crow very much, 
while it perked our boys up amazin’. 

“We reached Malvern Hill on the 16th, an’ laid 
there till the 31st. Then into Kichmond ag’in, 
from there to Meadow Bridge, an’ on the 4th of 
this month started down the Pamunkey River, to 
here, where 1 reckon weVe likely to stay till we go 
for Cornwallis in good earnest. It’s been what you 
might call a pretty tough campaign, with too much 
wear an’ tear on the legs, an’ not enough blood * 
spilled to keep the men in good humor.” 

“ Do you believe Cornwallis will be whipped when 
General Washington gets here ?” Josh asked. 

“Well, lad, that’s a question it ain’t so easy to 
answer. Old Corney ain’t any fool of a soldier, let 
me tell you, an’ there’ll have to be some precious 
hard work afore he cries quits. When we know 
what he’s done at Yorktown, an’ why he’s stoppin’ 
in that place, it will be easier to say what’ll happen 
when the Continentals go at him tooth an’ nail, as 
I allow will be done now, ’cordin’ to the message 
you brought. I s’pose you boys are countin’ on 
shoulderin’ a musket ?” 


138 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT TORKTOWH. 


“That we are,” Ned replied emphatically. “We 
expected to enlist at Dobb’s Ferry ; but were sent 
here. It has been promised that we shall be sol- 
diers as soon as the main army arrives.” 

“ I reckon you won’t have to wait that long. 
General Lafayette is bound to favor you on account 
of what has been done, an’ when all 3^ou ask is to 
be allowed to wear a uniform, at a time when he 
needs men, it don’t seem as if there’d be any great 
amount of fuss made in fixin’ the thing up to 
suit.” 

“ If I could have my way, I’d be a soldier before 
night,” Josh said. 

“ An’ I’d like to put you three through your 
paces. I allow all hands would make crackin’ good 
troopers, pervidin’ you were trained right.” 

“ And you claim to know just about how it 
should be done ?” Ned asked with a laugh. 

“ I oughter,” the old man replied gravely. “ I’ve 
stuck to the Continental army nigh on to six years 
now ; seen the times when a raw potato was high 
livin’, an’ been month after month with never so 
much as a look at money. Sometimes with a uni- 
form an’ shoes, an’ then ag’in without a great deal 
of either. There’s been a good many ups an’ downs, 
but if it please God that I don’t get my final billet 
too soon. I’ll be in at the death, which I reckon is 
bound to come in these parts before many months.” 

“ Fd like to ” 

Josh did not finish the remark, for at that instant 
Colonel Stewart’s servant approached, and said in a 


HONORED GUESTS. 


139 


tone as respectful as if he was speaking to his 
master : 

“ De kurnel wishes fur to say dat he’s in de tent, 
an’ would be pow’rfully obligated ef de young gen- 
’lemen war to cum dar fur er while.” 

“ IS’ow you’re goin’ to hear ’bout a chance to ’list, 
I reckon,” the old veteran said as he put his pipe 
carefully in his pocket. “ If I’m kerrect, come to 
me when you want any p’ints on solderin’.” 

“That’s what we will do,” Josh cried as he has- 
tened away with his comrades, “ an’ I hope you’ve 
guessed it right.” 

Judging from the expression on Colonel Stewart’s 
face when the boys entered his tent, he had no very 
good news to impart. He was grave almost to 
sternness, and appeared mournful. 

“Have you been enjoying yourselves?” he 
asked. 

“Yes, sir,” Hed replied. “We’ve been all over 
the camp, and had the good fortune to find an old 
soldier who was willing to explain what the Conti- 
nental forces have been doing in this section of the 
country.” 

“ Then you must have heard a story of privation, 
hardships and fatiguing marches, with very little 
glory.” 

“ That is to come, sir, if what he predicts proves 
true,” Ben said quickly. 

“ I would like to hear what fortune he gives us.” 

“He was careful not to speak with too great cer- 
tainty ; but says he ‘ is bound to be in at the death,’ 


140 


WITH LA FA YETTE A T TOUKTO WN. 


which he believes will happen in these parts before 
many months.” 

“ A modest fortune-teller ! He neglects to say 
which side the coming engagement will prove death 
to ; the true Continental soldier should be positive 
his enemy is to be conquered when next met, no 
matter how strong the opposing force may be. 
There is very much to be done, however, before we 
shall be ready for an engagement, and the most 
important of the work should be performed before 
General Washington’s forces arrive.” 

The boys could not reply to this remark, and for 
the good reason that they hardly understood it. 

Colonel Stewart remained silent a few seconds, 
and then said slowlv, as if thinking aloud : 

“ It is in the highest degree necessary that we 
have definite and reliable information from York- 
town at once.” 

“Will it be hard to get, sir?” Josh asked. 

“ That is yet to be proven. Spies must be sent 
there, and who can say whether they will return ? 
Our greatest difficulty at this moment is the lack of 
men to send. We have been hobnobbing, as it were, 
with the English forces so long that the soldiers are 
almost acquainted with each other. Strangers in 
this part of the country would serve our purpose 
better.” 

This was said in such a meaning tone that the 
boys could not fail to understand the purpose of 
the interview. They gazed at each other an instant 
and Hed motioned for Ben to speak, thus giving 


BONOBED QUESTS. 


141 


him an opportunity to atone for his lack of spirit 
during the morning. 

‘‘We are ready to do whatever you wish of us,” 
Ben said with a slight show of hesitation. “ Per- 
haps you think I didn’t come out of the trial very 
well when you threatened to have us hanged ; but 
it wasn’t because I was too much frightened to 
speak — I was sort of bewildered.” 

“ As well you might be, my lad, and I have no 
question as to your courage. What has already 
been accomplished proves that. I am willing to 
admit 1 hoped you would volunteer for this service. 
It has been talked of at headquarters, and all agree 
you might perform the work better than any one 
we could send from the army. I want you to 
understand thoroughly the danger to which you 
must be exposed. There is but one fate for a spy, 
and the English will have no hesitancy in dealing 
that out if you are discovered ; it is only what we 
should do if we caught their men inside our lines.” 

“ We surely ought to have some knowledge of the 
danger,” Ned replied with a smile. “ It is not yet 
twenty-four hours since we were positively assured 
we should be hanged, and if the officer who arrested 
us had had the management of affairs, I believe we 
would have been strung up at once.” 

“ There is decidedly more danger now than 
then,” the colonel said musingly. “ On this oc- 
casion you will indeed be spies, and merit an 
ignominious death if captured.” 

“We are willing to go, sir, if by so doing we can 
be of service to our country.” 


142 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT YORKTOWN, 


“You will be performing a more important duty 
than when you came here ; and in case of success 
you shall be liberally rewarded.” 

“You don’t mean in the way of money?” Ned 
cried quickly. 

“ It is far from my purpose to insult you by an 
offer of that kind. You will become soldiers, and 
promotion will follow as soon as you have sufficient 
military knowledge to be entrusted with a commis- 
sion ; that I promise on my word of honor.” 

“ It will be enough if we are allowed to enlist,” 
Josh cried gleefully, “ only I’d like it understood 
that we shall start in as soon as we get back.” 

“Whenever you please after the task has been 
accomplished.” 

“ Then it’s settled without need of any more talk ; 
when do you want us to go ?” 

“Within twenty-four hours. I will see that all 
the arrangements are made, and you shall be in- 
formed as soon as a plan of action has been mapped 
out.” 

Josh looked like one who had been promised 
some great favor ; but Ben and Ned were more 
serious. They understood that this mission was 
considerably different from the first, although there 
was no thought in the mind of either that it would 
be preferable to remain in camp. 

“ I shall tell the general you did not wait to be 
asked to go, but volunteered your services, and I 
can assure you in advance of his gratitude. In the 
meanwhile you are at liberty, as before, to occupy 


HONORED GUESTS. 


143 


your time in any way most agreeable. I expect 
you will take supper here, of course.'^ 

With this remark Colonel Stewart left the tent, 
and the boys had their first opportunity for a 
private conversation since the examination of the 
morning began. 

u We’re gettin’ a good many promises about 
enlistin’ ; but the further we go the more there is to 
do, an’ it begins to look as though the Britishers 
might be driven off before we have the right to 
wear a uniform,” Josh said when they were alone. 
“ If we go to Yorktown on this business, we can’t 
say much to Sim Perkins ’bout bein’ a spy, eh ?” 

“ If I thought our duties had anything in common 
with his, I’d let every man in this camp call me a 
coward before I’d stir a step ; but it is different. 
He’s a spy in order that he may work injury to his 
country, while we do it to aid her.” 

“You’re right, Ned. I didn’t say that about Sim 
with any idea we’d get to be as mean as he is, but 
only for fun. We’ll have something to tell the folks 
at home after this is over, I reckon.” 

“ If we ever get back.” 

“Ever get back? Well, I’m countin’ on goin’ 
when the rest of the folks do.” 

“I mean if we ever come back from Yorktown. 
You know what will happen if we’re caught.” 

“ I don’t count on lettin’ the Britishers know who 
I am. If a feller keeps his wits about him, he 
oughter be able to go in an’ out of the town a good 
many times without runnin’ much risk.” 


144 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT 70RKT0WN. 


“ I don’t think there’s any necessity of talking 
about that part of the work,” Ben said nervously. 

u We’re to go, and that is the end of it, for 
awhile at least.” 

“Do you feel like backin’ out?” Josh asked with 
a suspicious look at his companion. 

“I wouldn’t if I knew we’d be captured within 
five minutes after we reached the town. Somehow 
I can’t talk over such things as you and T^^ed do ; I 
kinder get fidgety, and then folks believe I’m 
afraid.” 

“ We’ll find something different to think of ; let’s 
go an’ see if the bosses are all right. That mule 
will think I’ve forgotten him entirely.” 

The others were quite willing to act upon this 
suggestion of Josh’s, and all three went out, to 
return an hour later, when they found Colonel 
Stewart busily engaged in writing. 

“The general commanded me to express not only 
his gratitude, but his admiration of your patriotism 
in volunteering for the dangerous service. He 
promises that your desires shall be gratified to the 
utmost after your return.” 

“ When are we to start ?” 

“ At midnight.” 


DOWN THE BIVEB. 


145 


CHAPTEK XL 

DOWN THE RIVER. 

The boys had expected they would be called upon 
to do the work for which they had volunteered, 
within a short time, but did not anticipate being 
obliged to leave camp immediately. 

The past twenty -four hours had been so 
thoroughly filled with, to them, exciting incidents 
that they had hardly time for necessary repose. 

It was decidedly a hardship to start upon the 
enterprise so soon, and yet neither of them thought 
of murmuring. 

When Colonel Stewart announced the time for 
them to leave camp, Josh asked promptly : 

“ Are we to go on foot, or shall we use our bosses, 
sir 

‘‘Xeither; it has been decided that your best 
course will be to take a boat from here, make your 
way to Gloucester, or some point a short distance 
above there where you can land, and afterward 
cross to the English camp. You Portsmouth boys 
should understand how to handle ’most any kind of 
a craft.” 

“ There will be no trouble about that, sir. 


146 


WITH LAFA YETTE AT YORKTOWH. 


Providing the boat isn’t too big, we’ll guarantee to 
get her there.” 

It will be necessary to spend some little time 
fishing before you arrive.” 

“Why ?” Josh asked in astonishment. 

“ You must have an excuse for entering the Eng- 
lish camp, and the most plausible one will be that 
you have come to sell fish. You may be questioned 
as to where you reside, and that, I conceive, is the 
greatest difficulty you will have to encounter, since 
you are unacquainted with this section of the 
country. It has been suggested that you claim a 
residence on the York River, and I can devise no 
better story. If it pleases you to do so, note well 
some dwelling on the shore, so you can describe it 
as your home.” 

“ What are we to do after we get to Yorktown, 
sir ?” Ned asked as Colonel Stewart paused. 

“ Observe well everything in and around the 
camp, particularly the defenses which have been 
thrown up. Any information will be valuable.” 

“ When do you expect us to return ?” 

“ Not until you have made yourselves familiar 
with the place, unless it should be that you are pre- 
vented from landing, which I hardly think probable. 
If inquiries are made relative to the American 
forces, in this section, tell without hesitation the 
location of our camp. In case it seems desirable, 
you may say that you have visited it for the purpose 
of selling fish, and answer freely all questions, for 
there is nothing in our position here which it can 


DOWN THE BIVER 


147 


benefit the English officers to know. I do not 
intend to hamper you with instructions. You 
understand in a general way what is to be done, 
and it may be better for you to pursue your own 
devices in the matter.” 

‘‘Will the boat soon be ready?” Josh asked, 
eager to set out on the dangerous mission. 

“ You will find her at the bank of the river, with 
an outfit for fishing, and as much in the way of 
provisions as should satisfy your hunger during the 
next twenty-four hours. It is not well that 3mu 
should have with you any considerable amount of 
money, since your purpose cannot be forwarded by 
such means. Remember you are simply three 
boys endeavoring to earn an honest livelihood 
by selling fish, and with no care to which army 
you dispose of your wares, providing you are paid 
therefor.” 

“ Shall we carry our guns, sir ?” 

“ By no means. Cunning, not force, must be the 
only weapon. Now I suggest that you get a few 
hours of sleep, and will see that you are awakened 
at the time set for departure. One moment,” he 
added as Josh was about to throw himself on the 
ground with his customary promptitude when 
making preparations for the night, “ you should 
have nothing about you which could give a clue to 
your identity. Better leave all personal belongings 
here, even to coats and shoes. I have had oil-skin 
and boots put in the boat, which will be more in 
accordance with your profession or calling.” 


148 


WITH LAFA TETTE A T YORKTO WN. 


Since Colonel Stewart appeared to think no 
further instructions necessary, Josh laid down upon 
the ground with a saddle for a pillow, as if his only 
care in life just at that moment was to indulge in 
slumber. 

The other boys followed his example, but could 
not as readily summon sleep to their eyelids. 

Each felt a certain repugnance to the new duties 
demanded of them, and, as was only natural, could 
not banish the gloomy forebodings which filled 
their minds on the eve of the dangerous mission. 

That which had previously been done, and while 
in the doing seemed so dangerous, was but as child’s 
play compared with this visit to the English camp, 
where death would certainly follow discovery. 
There could be no opportunity for defense once 
they were made prisoners, and the slightest mistake 
in word or gesture might, and probably would, 
prove their undoing. 

Despite the gravity of the situation, however, the 
boys did fall asleep after a time, and Colonel Stew- 
art paced to and fro just outside the tent, as if the 
fact that he was possibly sending these young 
patriots to death weighed heavily upon him. 

The old negro set about preparing a generous 
meal as the time fixed for the spies’ departure drew 
near, and half an hour before midnight said to his 
master : 

“I’se all ready wid my part, sah, an’ ef dem 
boys am gwine to leab at twelve o’clock, it’s time 
dey was roused up.” 


DOWN THE RIVER. 


149 


Colonel Stewart entered the tent, leaned over 
Josh an instant, as if it was a disagreeable task to 
awaken him, and then laid his hand upon the boy’s 
shoulder. 

Master Higgins was on his feet in an instant. 

“ I reckon I had a pretty good nap after all,” he 
said with a yawn. “ Our quarters were not so com- 
fortable last night that we cared to lay in bed very 
long this mornin’, an’ I was kinder short on my 
allowance of sleep. Is it time for us to be off?” 

“ It will be when you have eaten something, and 
walked to the river.” 

Josh aroused his comrades, and the three did full 
justice to the repast which had been prepared. 

How if you are ready. I’ll show you the boat,” 
Colonel Stewart said, and J osh replied : 

It seems kinder tough to haul you outer camp 
at this time in the night.” 

‘‘ I should at least be willing to escort those who 
are venturing into serious danger at my suggestion.” 

“Don’t look at it that way, sir,” Hed said quickly. 
“ Some one would have to go, and it’s no worse for 
us than for anybody else.” 

“You are brave lads, and when you return it 
shall be my urgent duty to see that you are rewarded 
in such a way as you may desire.” 

Then the colonel went out from the tent, the 
boys following, and, after a silent walk of fifteen 
minutes, they arrived at the bank of the river, 
where was a small boat hauled up in charge of two 
soldiers. 


150 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT TORKTOWN. 


Colonel Stewart inspected the contents of the 
craft, and apparently finding everything as he had 
commanded, said to his companions : 

“Here are the fishermen’s outfits, and you had 
better make an exchange of clothing now.” 

This was soon done, the boat was launched, the 
boys took their stations. Josh and Ned at the oars 
and Ben steering, and the former said cheerily : 

“You can shove off now. Good-night, Colonel 
Stewart ; we’ll see you ag’in within a week.” 

“ God grant you may,” was the fervent reply, and 
then the little craft was rowed swiftly out into the 
river. 

The voyage of the spies had begun, and whether 
it would end in death, or have a successful termina- 
tion so far as its purpose was concerned, was some- 
thing no man could predict. 

The chances for failure outweighed those of 
success. 

“Well, it seems as if we’d been kinder turned 
loose, don’t it ?” Josh said after the camp wa& lost 
to view in the distance. “ 1 s’pose we shall get 
through all right ; but I’d a good deal rather have 
daylight for it.” 

Neither Ben nor Ned felt much in the mood for 
conversation, and Josh’s remark passed apparently 
unheeded. 

“ Keep well out in the stream,” Ned said once to 
Ben. “I don’t know as it would do any particular 
harm if we ran aground; but at the same time 
there’s no need of doing so if it can be avoided.” 


DOWN THE RIVER. 


.151 


Two or three times Josh attempted to enter into 
conversation, but his companions positively refused 
to talk, and after awhile he gave way to melody in 
the shape of vigorous whistling, until Ben said 
nervously : 

“Why not keep still. Josh? There isn’t any 
sense in making such a noise, and one doesn’t know 
how near enemies may be.” 

“ That’s jest what you’ve got to get out of your 
head, Ben.” 

“ What do you mean ?” 

“ Why, the idea of enemies. If we’re fellers what 
live down here, an’ are try in’ to make money lishin’, 
we can’t have enemies so far as soldiers go.” 

“ Yes, that’s the way we must play when we’re 
in the camp ; but there’s no use beginning the game 
quite so soon,” Ben replied petulantly. 

“Why not? The sooner we start in the more 
used we’ll be to carryin’ it out. I allow the best 
thing for us is to try to believe we’re exactly what 
we’re goin’ to claim to be.” 

“It might be as well to wait until we decide 
where we live,” Ned said grimly. 

“ How will it do to take the first house we see on 
the left-hand side ?” 

“ I suppose one is as good as another.” 

“ Then you won’t have to wait very long before 
getting acquainted with your new home,” Ben said 
as he pointed toward the shore. “ There’s a build- 
ing, and we must be two or three miles from the 
American camp by this time.” 


152 


WITH LAFA TFTTF AT TOnKTOWIT, 


Ned turned as if to ascertain whether this resi- 
dence would suit their purpose or not, when Josh 
said: 

“ Pull ashore. We decided to adopt the first one, 
an’ now there’s no choice in the matter.” 

Ned resumed his work with the oar, and in a few 
moments the boys were so near the shore that it 
was possible to see the building quite plainly despite 
the gloom of night. 

It was a small, rude structure, hardly more than 
a hut, and the faint light which could be seen 
through the crevices of one of the shuttered windows 
told that it had occupants. 

“ I’d like to know who lives there ?” Josh said 
half to himself, and Ben asked in surprise : 

“What good could that do you ?” 

“Well, you see, we’d be able to tell a straighter 
story if we was questioned. Who knows but that 
some of the English have been around this way, an’ 
may remember all about the place ?” 

“ I reckon we’ll have to take our chances of that,” 
Ned said. “ If we can describe the outside of the 
house it will be enough for ordinary purposes.” 

“ But it would be better if we had the thing down 
fine,” Josh persisted. “ S’pose you fellers let me 
land, an’ I’ll snoop ’round a bit.” 

“ What’s the use of wasting so much time ?” Ben 
asked irritably. “ I want to get this job over as 
quickly as possible, and don’t like the idea of fool- 
ing about on the river when there’s no need of it.” 

“We may finish it sooner by goin’ a little slow 


DOWN THE RIVER. 


153 


at first Master Higgins replied sagely. “ It 
would be a pretty good investment to spend an hour 
here, if we should happen to get cornered in our 
story.” 

“ It can’t do any harm to gain all the information 
possible,” Hed said decidedly. “We’ll land you; 
but don’t stay longer than is necessary.” 

The boat was pulled in to the shore. Josh ran up 
to the house, knocked vigorously at the door, and 
despite the lateness of the hour his summons was 
answered immediately. 

He was too far away for the boys to overhear 
the conversation ; but they saw that it was a woman 
who came to the door, and a few moments later 
Josh entered the dwelling with the air of an old 
acquaintance. 

A quarter of an hour passed before he reappeared, 
and then he said as he pushed the skiff from the 
shore : 

“ It’s all right, boys ; I reckon the Britishers can’t 
corner us very bad now. 

“ Who lives there ?” Hed asked. 

“ An old woman, an’ her daughter who’s sick. 
Their names are Martin. The English haven’t been 
’round the house, although scoutin’ parties have 
come within sight of it two or three times. We 
shall be safe in claimin’ to belong there.” 

“What excuse did you make for stopping?” 

“ I told her we’d come from up river, an’ was 
goin’ to see if we could sell some fish to the camp. 
She thought I landed to find out how near the 
Britishers were.” 


154 WITH LAFA TETTE A T TORKTO WN. 

Then Josh described the interior of the dwelling ; 
told what he had seen around it, and impressed upon 
the minds of his comrades that all these details must 
be remembered, since they might stand them in good 
stead at some future time. 

After this the boys rowed until sunrise, when 
they breakfasted from the provisions which Colonel 
Stewart’s servant had prepared. 

During this entire day they pulled steadily on, 
and not until late at night were they sufficiently 
near Yorktown to deem it prudent to begin their 
work of fishing. 

Several times one or the other had landed to make 
inquiries from those living near the v;ater’s edge, 
and Josh took good care, during the afternoon, to 
ascertain the best places for fishing within a few 
miles of the British camp. 

The stock of food supplied by Colonel Stewart 
was exhausted, but they had purchased a small 
quantity of corn bread, upon which it would be nec- 
essary to subsist until their dangerous duty was 
fully begun. 

By sunrise next morning they commenced their 
labors as fishermen, and before nine o’clock had 
quite as large a load as was considered necessary 
for the purpose. 

“ Now, we’re in for it,” Josh said as he pulled up 
the rock which served as an anchor, and seated him- 
self at the oars. “ There’s to be no more stoppin’ 
till we’re where we can’t back out.” 

Ned was silent, Ben decidedly nervous, and Josh 


DOWN THE RIVER. 


155 


the only member of the party who appeared to be 
enjoying himself. 

“ If you fellers look so glum, the Britishers will 
want to know the reason why,” he said laughingly. 
“ Perk up a bit, an’ don’t be afraid of starin’ at 
everything, for if we did really live up the river, 
we’d want to get a sight of all that was goin’.” 

“ Are we to land and go directly into camp ?” Ned 
asked. 

“ One must stay by the boat, an’ perhaps Ben had 
better do that part of the work till he feels a little 
more certain of himself. Give her a sheer in 
toward the bank, an’ we’ll stop here. I don’t care 
’bout gettin’ any nearer that vessel than can be 
helped,” and Josh motioned toward the frigate 
Charon, which was lying at anchor off the town. 

Ben obeyed, and the little craft was swung into 
a tiny cove a few yards north of a rude dock. 

Not until they were close to the shore did either 
of the boys observe a sentinel patrolling the beach, 
who had halted as they came in view. 

Ben jammed the tiller hard down, as if to beat a 
retreat, but Josh said in a low tone : 

“It’s too late to back out now, an’ we may as well 
make our first trial here as anywhere else.” 

Ned, understanding that it would not be well to 
allow the soldier to think they were afraid of him, 
pulled the bow of the craft around, and as it grated 
on the sand Josh jumped ashore. 

“What are you doing here?” the man asked 
gruffly, approaching the boat for the purpose of 
ascertaining if she was loaded. 


156 with LAFA 7ETTE A T YOBKTO WH. 


“We ain’t had time for much of anything yet ; 
but count on soilin’ you folks some fish,” Josh 
replied in a cheery tone. “ Don’t you want a nice 
mess ?” 

“ I’ll take one as a gift,” the man said as he 
inspected the cargo. 

“ All right, I reckon we can spare that many,” 
and Josh lifted a fish from the boat. “Kow 1 
s’pose you can tell me where the best chance will 
be found to sell the balance ?” 

“ Why don’t you go into the town ?” 

“Because we can get the best prices from the 
soldiers. That was the way we found it at the 
other camp.” 

“ What one do you mean ?” 

“Up the river a good bit, near where we live.” 

“ Do you mean the Americans ?” 

“Of course,” Josh replied, as if surprised such a 
question should have been asked. 

“ When was you there?” 

“ Three days ago.” 

The man stood as if deliberating a few seconds, 
and then said in a friendly tone : 

“ If you’ve been in the enemy’s camp I fancy the 
officer of the day will want to see you.” 

“ I’ll be ’round after we sell the fish,” and Josh 
began the work of unloading. 

“You needn’t do that, for he must have a talk 
with you first. Come with me, and I’ll see that 
you’re not kept very long.” 

Ben looked distressed, for this savored of deten- 


DOWN THE RIVER. 


157 


tion, which might end in suspicion, while Ned was 
far from appearing at ease. 

One glance at his companions, and Josh realized 
that they were not in a proper frame of mind to 
bear a very severe examination. 

‘‘ Say !” he cried, as if a sudden thought had 
occurred to him. “ It’ll never pay to leave these 
fish here with nobody to look out for ’em. Why 
ain’t it jest as well to do our dickerin’ first, an’ the 
talkin’ afterward 

“You’ll be obliged to get permission to visit 
the camp, and both errands can be done at once by 
going with me,” and the soldier laid his hand on 
Josh’s shoulder, carrying his fish and musket in the 
other, much to the detriment of the weapon. 

“ Then let the other fellers stay by the boat. 
They may find some customers, an’ it never’ll do to 
leave things to take care of themselves.” 

The man hesitated an instant ’as if undecided as 
to his proper course, and Josh said imploringly : 

“ Now don’t be piggish, after we’ve given you one 
of the best fish we had. I can do enough talkin’ 
for all three, if that’s what you want.” 

“ Come on then, and step out lively.” 

“ Keep your eyes skinned, or the soldiers will 
steal your load,” Josh shouted to his comrades. 
“ Don’t sell ’em less’n fourpence apiece, an’ get silver 
at that. We don’t want any more paper stuff than 
we’re obliged to take.” 

“ You don’t talk like a very good patriot,” the 
soldier said with a grin. 


158 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT TORKTOWN. 


“ But I am, just the same. I reckon a feller can 
like silver even if he does live in this country.” 

“ You won’t have a great deal if you defy the 
king much longer.” 

“ I ain’t afraid but that King George will take 
care of them as is kickin’ up all the trouble, though 
I hadn’t ought to complain ’bout it, seein’s it gives 
us a prime market for fish.” 

This much of the conversation Ked and Ben 
heard, and then the words could no longer be dis- 
tinguished, as the two, walking together like old 
friends, passed on up the shore. 

‘‘ It’s mighty lucky I ain’t the one the soldier 
lugged off,” Ben said with a long-drawn sigh of 
relief. “ I’m so shaky it wouldn’t be five minutes 
before I’d betray the whole business.” 

“Josh is the right one for the job, but I hope they 
won’t keep him a great while. I shan’t breathe 
free till he’s back.”' 

Just then a small party of soldiers came lounging 
along, and Ked found it necessary to act the same 
part Josh was playing so well. 

He demanded fourpence each for the fish ; made 
a good deal of talk about wanting silver for his 
goods, and, despite the fears he had had regarding 
his ability to pass as a fisherman, succeeded so well 
that no suspicions were aroused. 

He sold four fish, and the soldiers assured him the 
entire lot would be readily disposed of as soon as it 
was generally known in camp that such food could 
be procured so near at hand. 


DOWN THE RIVER. 


159 


An hour passed, and Josh had not returned. 

Half the cargo was sold, and there was every 
indication the young spies would soon be forced to 
set out for another load in order to provide them- 
selves with an excuse for remaining in the vicinity. 

At the end of the second hour both the boys were 
thoroughly alarmed for the safety of Josh. 

Sixty minutes more passed, and it seemed certain 
his true character must have been discovered. 

“What shall we do?” Ben asked in distress. 
“If he’s been made prisoner, it won’t be long before 
they’ll come after us.” 

“We can’t do anything but wait. We’re bound 
to share his fate, even though it might be possible 
to escape by running away now.” 

The approach of more customers put an end to 
the conversation, and Ben did his share in serving 
them, although he was almost wild with appre- 
hension. 


160 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT TORKTOWN. 


CHAPTER XII. 

JOSH IN CAMP. 

While Ben and Xed were so anxious regarding 
their friend, fearing lest it had been discovered he 
was a spy, Master Higgins was rapidly and 
thoroughly performing the task which had been set 
for him. 

The officer of the day was not ready to examine 
the alleged fisherman when the sentinel first called 
his attention to the newcomer, and during nearly 
half an hour Josh remained where it was possible 
to gain a good view of the fortifications immediately 
surrounding the town. 

He was careful, however, not to let it appear as 
if he was idle willingly, but complained bitterly of 
being forced to loiter in that place while he should 
be attending to his business. 

The soldier, who felt particularly friendly toward 
the boy because of the present received, did his 
best to amuse him by pointing out the different 
objects of interest. 

Having been temporarily relieved from duty in 
order that he might guard the stranger until the 
officer of the day was ready to interview him, the 
man paced to and fro with Josh, oftentimes being 


JOSH IN CAMP. 


161 


led by the boy a longer distance from the quarters 
than he realized. 

Thus it was that Master Higgins had a better 
opportunity of observing the preparations for de- 
fense than would otherwise have been possible. 

“ It looks like as if you’d been turnin’ up a good 
bit of land hereabouts,” he said carelessly, as he 
pointed toward the earthworks which could be seen 
in every direction. 

“That is just what we have been doing,” the 
soldier said with evident pride. “ From the prepa- 
rations, it appears as if we should stay here a long 
while. There are ten redoubts in the line protect^ 
ing the town ; here are three, opening out on the 
river, there are two facing the river road to 
Williamsburg, three back of us,” and the soldier 
motioned toward the rear of the town, “ while two 
more are to the left.” 

“ What’s that over there ?” Josh asked, pointing 
in the direction of the road leading to Hampton. 

“ It is what is called the Horn- work, a projecting 
redoubt. There are fourteen batteries in all, mount- 
ing sixty-five guns, and the Yankees will be given 
such a reception as must wipe them off the face of 
the earth, if that French boy makes any demon- 
stration against us while we are here.” 

“There’s a big crowd of men in our camp,” Josh 
said boastingly. 

“There might be five times as many, and yet it 
would be impossible to make an attack upon our 
inner works.” 


162 


WITH LA FA YETTE A T TOBKTO WN. 


“ How is that 

“ Half a mile from here, where you can see that 
cloud of dust rising, are three more redoubts ; at 
Moore’s Mill are intrenchments, and near the river 
road from Williamsburg is the Fusileer’s Redoubt, 
a work garrisoned by the Twenty-third Foot, and a 
crowd of marines ; I don’t claim the mermaids 
soldiers ” 

“ What are they?” Josh asked in surprise. 

“ Mermaids are what we call the marines ; they 
are stationed with the Twenty-third over there 
where the frigate Gaudaloupe is anchored. Then 
in Gloucester,” and the soldier pointed proudly 
across the water, “ is a line of intrenchments with 
four redoubts and three batteries, mounting nine- 
teen guns.” 

Josh could have hugged himself with very joy as 
the soldier thus gave him the information he had 
come to obtain. Without any special effort he had 
learned all General Lafayette wished to know ; now 
it only remained that he should remember what had 
been told him, and make his wa}^ out of the camp. 

Ho plan he could have conceived would have ac- 
complished his purpose so quickly and thoroughly. 

He gazed around intently, hoping the better to 
remember the information by fixing the landmarks 
in his mind, and the soldier, proud of the impression 
he had made upon the country lad, asked : 

“ How what do you think would become of the 
colonials if they had the courage, which they 
haven’t, to make an attack ?” 


JOSH IN GAMP. 


163 


“ It looks as if you was fixed pretty snug,” the 
alleged fisherman replied in a tone of admiration ; 
“ but what puzzles me is why General Cornwallis 
don’t go out an’ kill all our folks at once, instead of 
stayin’ here?” 

“ It is plain enough, my lad. We need a naval 
station down this way, and where could a better 
one be found ? It is a good harbor, and a healthy 
place for a camp.” 

Josh realized that his comrades would be anxious 
because of his long delay, yet he would not have 
abridged that interview by a single moment. 

The guard whom he had been so fortunate as to 
be detained by, was a garrulous man, and continued 
to point out the natural advantages of the place 
until word was sent that the oflicer of the da}^ 
would receive the newcomer. 

“ I can’t have more luck than I’ve had already,” 
Josh said to himself, following the messenger, the 
guard keeping close behind as if thinking the boy 
might attempt to escape. It seems as if things 
were goin’ on most too smooth, an’ there may be 
breakers ahead.” 

He was mentally prepared for the examination 
when ushered into the officer’s presence, and fully 
alive to all the dangers which might arise. 

“ Where do you live ?” the Englishman asked 
abruptly. 

“ Up at the head of York Kiver.” 

“ What are you doing here ?” 

“ Waitin’ till you give me a chance to sell my 
fish.” 


164 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT YOUKTOWN. 


“ Was that your purpose in visiting the camp 

“ Of course. What else would I want here, 
except to see the soldiers, but that wouldn’t pay for 
so long a pull.” 

“ Have you ever been in the army ?” 

“Why that’s where I am now, ain’t it?” and 
Josh did his best to appear perplexed. 

“ I mean, have you ever been a soldier ?” 

“ Hot much I ain’t. I can make more money 
takin’ care of the farm, an’ fishin’ now an’ then 
when the troops are handy to get at, without runnin’ 
the danger of bein’ killed.” 

“ Don’t you have any desire to see the English 
forces driven out of the country ?” 

“ Why should I ?” Josh asked innocently and 
emphatically. “ S’pose they wasn’t here, where’d I 
sell my fish ?” 

The officer appeared to be satisfied with this 
reply, and continued the examination in a different 
line. 

“ Where did you last see the American soldiers ?” 

“ Three days ago I was up to their camp.” 

“ Indeed ? What did you see there ?” 

“ Lots of men an’ guns.” 

“ Are they intrenched ?” 

Josh realized if he admitted that his curiosity 
could be aroused by such matters, the officer would 
conclude he might carry information back, and 
therefore refuse to let him leave the camp. 

“ What’s them ?” he asked, as if not understand- 
ing the term. 


JOSH m GAMP. 


165 


“ What defenses have they ?” 

Josh shook his head. 

“ Are you so dumb that you do not know what I 
mean 

“ I ain’t a soldier, mister, an’ so how can I tell ?” 
he asked with a whine. 

“ Surely you have sense enough to know a fort 
when you see it !” 

“ I don’t reckon there was any up there, but I 
didn’t have time to look ’round very much. You 
see fish sold mighty fast, an’ we only stayed till the 
catch was cleaned up.” 

“ Why didn’t you go back there, instead of com- 
ing here ?” 

‘‘Well, you see we had to come down the river 
a good bit to get a full load, an’ this camp was 
nearest when we’d taken what we could carry; 
besides I wanted to see the English.” 

The ofiicer looked at him a moment in silence, 
and then asked with the air of one who is about to 
bring an unprofitable interview to a close : 

“Where have you been since coming ashore?” 

“Jest here. The soldier we met wouldn’t let us 
go anywhere till we saw you.” 

“How many are there in your party ?” 

“ Three ; me an’ my cousins.” 

“ Are they boys ?” 

“I reckon so, seein’s I’m the oldest.” 

The officer summoned the guard who had brought 
Josh in, and said : 

“ You can let him dispose of his fish ; but do not 


166 


WITH LA FA YETTE A T TORKTO WN. 


allow either of the party to wander around the 
camp.” 

“ How’ll 1 sell my load if I can’t come here with 
it?” Josh asked as if in distress. 

“ It is not my business to enable you to sell fish. 
Go away, and see to it that you do not loiter 
around.” 

“ But I can come back with another load, can’t I ?” 

“ Take the idiot away !” the officer said sharply, 
and the soldier literally dragged the boy from the 
tent. 

“ How you can set about the business of selling 
your fish, and after that has been done, see to it 
you go home,” the man said when they were in the 
open air. 

“ I don’t reckon it would do any harm to look 
’round a little ?” 

The soldier glanced at Josh sharply. 

“ I thought you were in a great hurry ?” 

“ So I am ; but I never had such a chance be- 
fore, an’ it seems too bad not to make the most 
of it.” 

“ The orders were to prevent you from loitering ; 
but I don’t suppose there can be any objection to 
your looking about a bit. Come with me while I 
carry this haddock to my quarters.” 

“ Let me take it for you,” and Josh seized the 
fish by the gills. “ The rest of the folks will know 
what I’ve got to sell, an’ I may do a little 
tradin’.” 

During the walk through the camp Josh kept 


JOSH IN CAMP. 


167 


both eyes and ears open, as well can be imagined, 
but he did not learn more than had already been 
told him. 

He had ample opportunity, however, to impress 
upon his mind the details of the information given 
regarding the defenses, and by the time the guard 
was at his quarters. Josh believed he would have 
no difficulty in remembering everything which it 
was necessary for the Americans to know. 

The idle men in camp bantered the visitor con- 
siderably ; but he took their coarse jests in good 
part, pretending not to understand them, and more 
than one engaged him to bring them fish. 

Josh lingered considerably longer than was 
necessary, thinking it possible he might gain yet 
more information, and when he was on the point of 
departing in obedience to the demands of some of 
the men that he bring their wares to them, a 
familiar voice from one of the tents caused the 
blood to recede very suddenly from his cheeks. 

“ If I can’t nose ’round the Yankees’ camp, there 
ain’t a man this side the water that can, eh ? I’ve 
done a heap of sich work for General Clinton, an’ 
only hope General Cornwallis will give me a 
chance.” 

“ Why didn’t you stay with the main army ?” 
a voice asked. 

“I was gettin’ too well known. A man can’t 
dodge in an’ out all the time, except he gets ac- 
quainted, eh ?” 

Sim Perkins was one of the speakers, Josh was 


168 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT 70UKT0WN. 


positive, and if they should meet for ever so short 
a time, Colonel Stewart would look in vain for the 
return of his messengers. 

The tent in which the tory chanced to be at that 
moment was not more than ten feet from where 
Josh was standing, but fortunately he was at the 
rear of it, and, unless the occupants came out, might 
readily leave without attracting the attention of the 
man who could bring upon him an ignominious 
death. 

‘‘ It’s time I was gettin’ away from this,” he said 
to himself. “ How lucky I didn’t happen to go 
where he could see me !” 

“ When will you start for the other camp if 
General Cornwallis gives you employment?” Sim’s 
companion asked, and Josh waited to hear the 
reply. 

“ In an hour after the bargain’s made. There’s 
somethin’ important about to be done by Washing- 
ton’s forces, an’ I reckon it’ll be possible to find out 
all the partic’lars by a visit there.” 

Josh had learned enough. That which Colonel 
Stewart wished to know could be told, if he returned 
in safety, and, in addition, he might prevent the 
news of General Washington’s change of base being 
known by this portion of the English forces, yet a 
little while longer. 

He was not as eager to leave as he previously had 
been to remain ; but it so chanced that the soldier 
who had unwittingly given him such valuable in- 
formation, came up once more, and said gruffly ; 


JOSE m CAMP. 


169 


“ The officer of the day wants to see you again. 
I’ve got a wigging for letting you loiter around 
here so long. Why didn’t you go back to your 
boat ?” 

Josh did not dare speak loud lest Sim should 
recognize his voice, therefore he was suddenly at- 
tacked by a severe fit of coughing, during which he 
moved as far as possible from the tent. 

Now he was thoroughly alarmed by the prospect 
of a second visit to the officer of the day. At any 
moment Sim might lounge near the quarters, and it 
seemed as if danger threatened on every hand. 

“ I didn’t think I’d stayed sich a dreadful while,” 
he said in a low tone. What’s the use of my 
seein’ that feller ag’in ? I’ll go right away this 
minute. My cousins must be wonderin’ where I am.” 

“ It’s too late now ; you’ve got to be overhauled, 
an’ I count on your tollin’ that I ordered you off at 
once.” 

“ I’ll fix that part of if all right ; but it’s too bad 
to have to stop so long.” 

The soldier was too deeply occupied with the un- 
pleasant thought that he might receive a severe 
reprimand for what had been done, to pay any 
attention to the boy’s remark, and the young spy 
was forced to follow. 

“ What are you lounging here for ?” the officer 
asked sternly when finally Josh stood before him. 
‘‘ I thought you only wanted to sell fish ?” 

“ That’s what I’m ’bout dyin’ to do now. You 
see I didn’t think I’d been here so long till this 


170 


WITH LAFA YETTB AT TORKTO WN, 


feller come up in a fit ’cause I hadn’t done what he 
told me. Some of the soldiers was bargainin’ for 
fish, an’ I was makin’ sich good trades it seemed a 
pity not to keep at it.” 

The officer looked sternly at Josh, and then asked 
the soldier : 

“What was he doing when you found him ?” 

“ Just as he says, sir, trying to sell his fish.” 

“ Did he have them with him ?” 

“They are down in the boat,” Josh interrupted, 
“ an’ I was agreein’ to bring ’em up.” 

“ Is that the truth ?” and the officer turned again 
to the guard. 

“ So far as I know, sir. Several of the men have 
made purchases of him, but the goods have not been 
delivered.” 

“ See to it that he goes to his boat at once, and 
allow neither him nor his companions to return. If 
the soldiers wish to buy fish, they can go to the 
river. Such visitors are never to be trusted, and I 
will have none of them in camp.” 

“I won’t come ag’in, sir,” Josh said penitently. 
“ If I’d knowed it was any harm. I’d left a good 
while ago.” 

“It hasn’t done any harm, my lad, but — a 
military camp is not a huckster’s shop, that is all, 
and while we are glad to have the inhabitants 
supply us with food, for which a fair price shall be 
paid, we cannot allow them too near. When you 
have anything more to sell, remain on the shore, 
and the men can visit you there.” 


JOSE IN CAMP. 


in 


A wave of the officer’s hand told him the inter- 
view had come to an end, and once more Josh men- 
tally congratulated himself on his good fortune. 

‘‘ You kept your promise, lad, and got me out of 
what might have been serious trouble, so if I can 
ever do you another good turn 1 won’t forget this,” 
the guard said when they emerged from the tent. 

“ You’ve treated me in great shape,” Josh replied, 
emphatically. “ There ain’t anybody ’round here 
that could have done more, an’ I’m much obliged.” 

He spoke hurriedly, for no one could say how 
soon Sim Perkins might come upon the scene, and 
the soldier gave him a military salute in parting, so 
pleased by the expressions of the boy’s gratitude as 
to forget entirely his order to make certain he left 
the camp. 

So far as this last was concerned, there was no 
necessity for any one to quicken Josh’s movements. 
His great desire was to get away immediately, and 
he ran with all speed toward the beach. 

The expression on the faces of Ben and Hed 
when he arrived told how great was their relief at 
seeing him once more. 

The cargo of fish was nearly disposed of, and sev- 
eral soldiers w^ere in the immediate vicinity, there- 
fore it was not practicable for him to explain why 
their departure should be hurried. 

“ Where have you been ?” Hed asked. “ I began 
to think something had happened.” 

‘‘ I had to answer a lot of questions before they’d 
agree to let us sell the fish, an’ then a good many 


WITH LA FA YBTTF AT YOUKTOWN. 

made trades with me, so I reckon it won’t be best 
to dicker any more now. We’ve been ordered to 
pull further up the shore.” 

“ What’s that for ?” one of the soldiers asked, 
suspicious, as Josh in his excitement feared. 

“ I don’t know. The officer was mad ’cause I sold 
things in camp, an’ said that the men would have 
to come to us if they wanted to buy.” 

“ Then you can’t deliver what has been engaged ?” 

“ I can, for we’ll wait in our boat till the men 
show up.” 

While speaking Josh had been making ready for 
departure, but Ben and l^ed, not realizing how im- 
portant it was for them to leave in the shortest pos- 
sible space of time, lingered on shore until he said 
sharply : 

“Why don’t you fellers turn to with me ? I’m 
goin’ to pull out to that vessel, an’ then come back 
here.” 

Ned now began to understand that there was 
good reason to make haste, and the supposed fisher- 
men were soon rowing toward the frigate Charon. 

“Now perhaps you will tell us what was the 
matter. Were you discovered ?” 

“I shouldn’t be here if that had happened,” Josh 
replied with a grimace ; “ but matters \Yould have 
been in bad shape for me if I’d happened to pass 
the front of the tent in which Sim Perkins was 
sittin’.” 

“Is Sim here?” Ben cried in alarm, and Ned 
looked very uneasy. 


JOSH IN CAMP. 


173 


Pull a little slower, an’ I’ll tell the whole 
story.” 

The boat was headed toward the frigate Charon, 
but the distance between her and the shore was so 
great that Josh had time to give a full account of 
his adventures before more than half the distance 
had been covered. 

“ That settles it !” Hed said when the story was 
concluded. “We must go back as soon as possible. 
Why are we going out to the frigate ?” 

“ I only said what I did so the soldiers wouldn’t 
wonder why we came away before the fish were 
sold. We’ll circle ’round the vessel, in case anybody 
is lookin’, an’ then sneak up river.” 

“ We had better start at once, instead of spending 
both time and strength pulling around for nothing. 
We’ve got a hard job before us, and the sooner 
we’re beyond sight of the camp the easier I shall 
feel,” Ben said nervously. 

“ It won’t do to go jest yet. The officer of the 
day had a good mind to be suspicious, an’ if he should 
see us scootin’ for dear life, he’d be certain to send 
after us. We’d better waste half an hour, than 
never have a chance to go back.” 

“ Josh is right,” Hed said decidedly. “ The least 
false move would mean death for all. We’ll try to 
sell some fish on the frigate, and then row up stream 
as if our cargo had all been disposed of. It was 
fortunate that soldier was. so friendly, otherwise we 
would be obliged to go back without getting the 
information we were sent to obtain.” 


174 


WITH LAFA YETTE AT YORKTOWN, 


“Yes, I’ve had great luck all through this trip, 
from the time we got ready to leave Bennington,” 
Josh replied ; “ but I tell you what it is, fellers, 
when I heard Sim Perkins talkin’ like he was at 
home, my heart went way down into my boots, for 
I allowed the end had come, in spite of all our 
luck.” 

While they were yet some distance from the 
frigate a marine hailed, asking their business, and 
Josh replied : 

“We’re got some fish to sell; don’t you want 
’em ?” 

“ Sheer off ! The orders are to allow no boats 
around the frigate. Sheer off, or I’ll fire !” 

“ Put the tiller hard down, Ben,” Josh said 
quickly. “ I reckon we ain’t wanted here, an’ had 
better get home mighty lively.” 

Had any one been on the shore, watching the 
movements of the supposed fishermen, no suspicions 
could have been aroused when they rowed up the 
river at the best possible speed. “ It would not be 
surprising that three country lads were terribly 
frightened when a gun was aimed at them, and Josh 
said with a chuckle as he pulled vigorously at the 
oar : 

“The soldier what was so perlite to me made 
fun of marines — called ’em mermaids; but I’ll 
never say a word ag’in ’em from this time out, for 
that feller did us the biggest kind of a favor when 
he threatened to shoot. Now we’ll buckle down to 
the oars, an’ keep ’em dippin’ as long as we can set 
on the thwarts !” 


AN ENFORCED HALl. 


175 


CHAPTER XIIL 

AN ENFORCED HALT. 

Hot until an hour passed, and the boat was so far 
up the river that Yorktown had been lost to view 
in the distance, did the boys feel assured of safety. 
They had rowed vigorously, without ceasing their 
efforts for an instant, and Josh said as he pulled in 
his oar : 

“ I reckon we can afford to hold on a bit. Pve 
kept this thing up about as long, without a breath- 
ing-spell, as is possible.” 

“ Better work the boat in-shore before you stop, 
or the current will carry us back.” 

Josh did as was suggested, and when the bow of 
the craft was on the sand, the young spies gave 
themselves up to a short time of rest, which was 
sadly needed. 

In order to husband their strength, no conver- 
sation had been indulged in from the moment the 
flight began, and now Ben and Hed were eager 
their companion should repeat the story of his 
adventures with more detail than had previously 
been given. 

Master Higgins did as was requested, and an hour 


176 


WITH LA FA YETTE A T YORKTO WN. 


was spent in describing to his comrades the defenses 
of York town as pointed out the garrulous 
soldier. He did this quite as much for his own 
benefit as their information, since by repeating the 
story he would the better be able to remember 
what had been learned. 

“ I reckon Colonel Stewart will be satisfied with 
our work,” he said in conclusion, “ for even if we 
had done nothin’ more than found out what Sim’s 
got on hand, the time would have been well spent. 
His business as a spy will come to an end mighty 
soon after he strikes General Lafayette’s camp,” 

“ I suppose he’ll be hanged if he’s taken,” Ben 
ventured. 

“ Of course.” 

“It seems hard to send a man to such a death.” 

“ I don’t believe it will worry me very much,” 
Josh replied carelessly. “If it did I’d remember 
what he’s done against the colonists, an’ then I 
wouldn’t be very soft-hearted.” 

“ But think how terrible it must be to know 
you’ve been the means of sending a man to the 
gallows,” Ben persisted. 

“It ain’t so awful pleasant. I’ll admit ; but how 
long would he have hesitated if he’d seen me? I’d 
been hauled up as a spy quicker’n you could wink, 
after he found out I was there, an’ you fellers would 
soon have been in the same box.” 

This argument silenqed Ben, but did not con- 
vince him. If Sim’s punishment would be a long 
term of imprisonment, he could hope ardently to 


AN ENFORCED HALT 


1?7 


aid in capturing him before he might work further 
harm to the American cause ; but to assist in bring- 
ing a man to the gallows was repugnant. 

The subject was dropped, however, when Ned 
said, as if just aroused from deep thought : 

“ It won’t do for us to hang around here much 
longer. We are not out of danger yet, and must 
put as many miles as possible between us and York- 
town before morning."’ 

Josh immediately pushed the boat from the shore, 
took his station at one of the oars, and the flight 
was resumed. 

Each hour the position of the crew was changed, 
that one of the party might be “ spelled ” by taking 
his turn at steering, and until nearly midnight the 
progress was not delayed more than a few moments 
at a time. 

It was now believed they were no longer in 
danger of meeting detachments of the English army, 
and all hands were so thoroughly tired that a pro- 
longed halt seemed absolutely necessary. 

“ We shall travel just so much faster to-morrow, 
if we get a few hours of sleep,” Ben said pleadingly. 
“ It seems as if I really couldn’t keep my eyes open 
a minute longer.” 

Ned seconded his friend’s suggestion and Josh 
reluctantly agreed to pulling ashore. 

He had done more actual work than either of the 
others, but yet appeared as fresh and able as on the 
night they left the American camp. 

“ Of course we must stop if you fellers are worn 


178 


WITH LAFA YETTE AT YORKTOWH. 


out,” he said as he leaped ashore ; “ but yet it 
seems like a waste of time.” 

“ I don’t understand why you are not as tired as 
we,” hied replied in a tone of admiration for his 
comrade’s endurance. “ You have done twice as 
much work as either of us.” 

‘‘I reckon it’s because I’m more used to bein’ 
knocked ’round ; that kinder toughens a feller you 
know.” 

“ Don’t you feel played out ?” 

“ Hot so much but that when I think of the nar- 
row squeak we had at the Britishers’ camp, it seems 
easier to keep on to a place of safety than stop 
this side of General Lafayette’s forces.” 

‘‘ There can be no danger here,” Hed said posi 
tively as he searched for a place in the bushes where 
he could lie down with some degree of comfort. 

“ I don’t reckon there is, an’ yet we’ll all be more 
certain when we’re where we started from.” 

Then Master Higgins, giving verj^ little heed to 
his resting-place, stretched himself out at full length 
under a bush, and before the others had fairly set- 
tled down was breathing heavily. 

Heither of the party had any difficulty in sum- 
moning slumber to his eyelids, and until nearly 
daybreak they enjoyed perfect, dreamless repose. 

Then all three were awakened suddenly by a 
harsh voice. 

“It’s time you thieves turned out, an’ give an 
account of yourselves !” 

Springing to his feet Josh was confronted by a 


AN ENFORCED HALT. 


179 


man who was leveling a cocked and primed musket 
directly at him. 

“ What’s goin’ on here ?” he demanded. 

“We’re to have a settlement mighty soon, I 
reckon, an’ you young thieves will do the heaviest 
part of the settlin’.” 

Josh leaned forward slightly to get a better view 
of the stranger, and when his eyes were accustomed 
to the gloom, he cried in dismay : 

“ It’s Bart Hodgkins !” 

“I see there ain’t no call for me to introduce my- 
self. Keep back !” he added as Ked was about to 
step forward. “ You cubs will get along to the boat, 
where I can have an eye on all three at the same 
time. Move lively, for I shan’t be backward ’bout 
shootin’, after what you did to me.” 

“ How did you get here ?” Josh cried, hardly con- 
scious of what he said. 

“ Did you reckon them bosses was the only ones 
in the country?” Bart asked with a chuckle. “ We 
found others mighty soon, an’ they must a’ been 
better than tnem you stole, ’cause we’ve got here in 
time to head you off from whatever you was count- 
in’ on doin’ with the Yankee army.” 

“But we ” 

Josh interrupted Ben at once, believing he was 
about to say that they had already been with the 
American forces. It was not necessary Bart should 
know this, and to keep it a secret might benefit 
them in some way, although at the time he could 
not have said how. 


180 


WITH LAFA TETTE A T YORKTO WN. 


Is Sim Perkins with you 

He will be afore long, an’ then I’ll show you 
what it means to put a bullet in my arm. Get 
together, an’ stand close ! There won’t be any more 
chance to cut capers with me.” 

The boys marched to the water’s edge in compli- 
ance with his commands, and were now grouped 
around the bow of the boat. 

“ Don’t let on that we’ve either seen General 
Lafayette, or know where Sim is,” Josh whispered 
to Ben. 

“ The next time you go to sleep in the woods, I 
reckon you’ll keep your muskets where they can be 
got at handy,” Bart said triumphantly. ‘‘ You 
counted you’d seen the last of me, when that little 
scrimmage was over, but I’ve kept close at your 
heels all the time.” 

Hed was sorely tempted to tell him this was a lie ; 
but he realized that the less information given the 
better, and held his peace. 

Bart seated himself with his back to a tree, and 
prepared to hold his prisoners in subjection with the 
leveled musket. 

“ Get up there !” he shouted as Josh was about 
to seat himself on the bow of the boat. “ Keep on 
your feet, or I’ll fix you so you’ll have to lay 
down !” 

‘‘ But what’s the use of makin’ us stand up ?” 

“I want you to, that’s why! You’ll keep on 
your pins till Sim shows up, an’ then I’m goin’ to 
mark all three same’s you marked me.” 


AN ENFORCED HALT. 


181 


Josh made no reply to this threat, which, under 
other circumstances, would have called forth a 
retort from him. He understood that Sim had left 
Bart at this place while he visited, the English 
camp, and there was every reason to believe the 
tory would soon return as a spy in the service of 
General Cornwallis. Once he saw the boys, he 
would suspect that they had been, or were going, to 
Yorktown, and might decide to take them back 
there. 

“ If we wait till Sim comes we shall be in about 
as bad a hole as if he’d seen us yesterday,” Josh 
said to himself. “ Luck must be turnin’ ag’in me, 
or we’d never stopped at the only place on the 
river where we could have got into trouble.” 

During the next ten minutes neither captor nor 
prisoners broke the silence. 

Day was dawning, and each instant surrounding 
objects could be seen more distinctly. 

Bart, his shoulder bandaged with dirty cloths, 
and his right arm in a sling, appeared on the point 
of falling asleep, and Josh whispered softly : 

“Keep as quiet as you can. We’ve got to get 
out of this scrape before Sim comes, an’ if I see the 
slimmest chance to jump in on Bart, I shall do it. 
Be ready to back me up.” 

“Kemember that he has a musket, and there’s 
death in it for one of us, unless he is taken un- 
awares,” Ked replied, while Ben turned pale at the 
thought of a possible struggle. 

“ He can’t fire but once, for we could pull him 


182 


WITH LAFATETTE AT TORKTOWN. 


down before the gun was loaded ag’in, an’ it’s 
better for one of us to get hurt than to be here 
when Sira turns up. We’d go back to the English 
camp for certain.” 

“What are you chinnin’ about?” Bart asked 
with an oath. “ Keep your mouths shut, or some- 
body’ll get hurt !” 

Kow Josh regretted having spoken to his com- 
panions, for by so doing he had roused their captor 
at a time when slumber seemed very heavy on his 
eyelids. He gave Ned a warning look, which was 
as if he said the order must be strictly obeyed, and 
stood silent and motionless with his eyes fixed upon 
the tory. 

Five minutes passed ; Bart nodded, and at the 
same instant Josh moved forward a pace. 

When the tory looked up his prisoners were 
apparently as they had been. 

Ned understood that Josh was about to take 
advantage of the first opportunity presented, regard- 
less of the danger to himself. 

Five minutes, and the boy had succeeded in less- 
ening the distance between himself and the sleepy 
man by a few inches more. 

The sun was rising; but, fortunately for the 
prisoners, Bart was protected by the bushes from 
the full glare of its rays, and was not disturbed by 
the increase of light. 

Then came a weary time of waiting, during 
which it seemed to Ben as if his heart was beatinfi: 
sufficiently loud to be heard a long distance off, and 
Bart’s head sank upon his breast. 


AN ENFORCED HALT. 


183 


Josh gave one hurried glance at JS^ed to warn him 
the decisive moment had come, and then, with the 
quickness of a cat when she pounces on a mouse, 
leaped directly upon the man. 

]N’ed sprang forward at the same instant. Ben 
heard the report of a musket, and after that a few 
seconds elapsed before the smoke of that burning 
powder cleared away sufficiently for him to see 
what had happened. 

As a matter of course the musket was now 
valueless as a weapon, since the contents had been 
discharged, but it seemed as if Bart might prove 
more than a match for the two boys, wounded 
though he was, for he had them both beneath him. 

“Club him with the musket!” Josh shouted, and 
then a gurgling sound told that Bart had seized him 
by the throat. 

While one might have counted ten Ben stood- 
silent and motionless, making no move toward 
assisting his comrades, and then his habitual 
timidity disappeared like a flash. 

Seizing the musket he raised it above his head, 
and rushed among the combatants. 

He no longer thought of danger ; but was like 
one in a frenzy of rage. 

Bart, relaxing his efforts against those beneath 
him, gave Ben such a kick full in the stomach as 
doubled the boy up, and by catching hold of a bush 
he succeeded in saving himself from a fall. 

An instant later the clubbed musket fell with a 
crashing force on the tory’s head, and the struggle 
was over. 


184 WITH LAFA TETTB A T TORKTO WN. 


“ That’s what I call a neat blow,” Josh said ap- 
provingly, as he dragged himself from beneath the 
apparently lifeless man. “It didn’t come any too 
soon, either. I thought he’d choke me to death 
before you got a chance to get in your work.” 

“ Have I killed him ?” Ben asked in tones of 
horror as he bent over the tory, who, ghastly pale, 
was lying like one dead. 

The boy’s sudden-born courage had vanished as 
quickly as it came, and in its stead was the faintness 
of fear, caused by the thought that he had killed a 
human being. 

“ Dead ? Hot a bit of it ?” Josh cried cheerily as 
he assisted Hed to rise. “ You don’t kill them kind 
of cattle so easy. He’ll come ’round in a little 
while, an’ before that happens we’d better have him 
in sich a shape that he can’t do Siny mischief.” 

“ I didn’t suppose he could make so much of a 
fight,” Hed said as he rubbed his bruised throat 
tenderly. “ If it hadn’t been for the wound. I’m 
not so certain he wouldn’t have got the best of all 
three.” 

“ He had me where I was of no account,” Josh 
added with a laugh. “ I’ve been in some pretty 
snug places, but that grip on my throat beat every- 
thing. This is the time when Ben distinguished 
himself.” 

“Yes,” the latter said in a voice which trembled 
despite all his efforts to render it steady. “ There 
is a good deal of bravery in knocking a man sense- 
less at a time when he couldn’t defend himself.” 


Air ENFOnCBD HALT. 


185 


“ I thought he was makin’ a mighty good try for 
it when he tumbled you into the bushes.” 

“ That was all he could do, and then I had the 
advantage.” 

“Well,” Josh said as he overhauled some of the 
stouter fishing-lines, whether you did anything 
brave or not, you come in jest ’bout right, so far as 
time goes. In half a minute more I’d been done up. 
I^ow we’ll lash Mr. Hodgkins so he can’t fiounder 
’round very much, an’ then mosey up river.” 

“ What are you counting on doing with him ?” 
Hed asked as he assisted his companion. 

“ Take him with us, of course. It’ll never do to 
let him see Sim before we get back to camp, or we 
shan’t catch that precious villain, I want to be a sol- 
dier pretty bad, but that don’t count as anything 
alongside of bringin’ Sim Perkins up with a sharp 
turn.” 

It was not a lengthy operation to tie Bart in such 
a manner that he could not free himself, and by the 
time the task had been accomplished the tory 
opened his eyes. 

“ Well, Mr. Hodgkins,” Josh cried mockingly, 
“ there’s been somethin’ of a change here since you 
an’ I talked together. I reckon there ain’t any 
need of waitin’ for your friend Perkins, so if you’re 
ready we’ll leave. You’ve got an invitation to go 
with us, an’ I hope you won’t be so cruel as to say 
anythin’ ag’in it.” 

“ I’ll have your heart’s blood for this.” 

“ I haven’t got time to get it out for you now, an’ 


186 


WITH LAFA TETTE AT YORKTOWN. 


we must be movin’. Don’t agitate yourself ; we’ll 
lift you into the boat like you was a lady.” 

Bart, powerless to move hand or foot, simply 
glared at his captors, and Josh had begun to drag 
him toward the boat, when Ben cried excitedly : 

“ Here comes some kind of a craft ! Perhaps Sim 
is in her !” 

Instantly he heard this, Bart began to scream for 
help, and had the strange boat been a little nearer 
his shrieks must have been heard. 

“Stop that !” Josh cried as he covered the tory’s 
mouth with his hand. “ Can’t one of you fellers 
find somethin’ that’ll do for a gag ? The chances 
are it’s Sim cornin’ to meet his pardner, an’ we’ve 
got to put an end to this screechin’.” 

“It won’t do to stand out here where he can see 
us,” Hed added. “ Pull Bart into the bushes. 
Here’s the sleeve of my coat. I reckon that will 
answer your purpose. 

While speaking he cut the garment referred to, 
tossing one of the pieces to Josh at the same time 
he ran toward the boat. 

“We’ve got to get the craft out of the water 
mighty quick. Give me a hand, Ben; Josh can 
attend to Bart.” 

“ But why don’t we go, instead of stopping here ?” 
Ben asked as he obeyed his friend’s commands. 
“ We can keep ahead of him easily enough.’’ 

“We must let him go by, if it is him,” Josh cried. 
“ It would never do to show ourselves ?” 

Then, having dragged the prisoner under the 
bushes, Master Higgins ran to assist his comrades. 


AN ENFORCED HALT. 


187 


Ben was quite positive they were making a mis- 
take in remaining there, instead of taking to flight. 
If they could see the occupant of the boat, surely 
he had been able to see them quite as plainly as if 
they pulled up the river in their own craft. 

“We ain’t got time to Agger much on the matter 
now,” Josh said as he worked with a will. “After 
we’re in shape to meet Mr. Perkins, or watch him 
as he goes past, we can talk about how things 
oughter be done.” 

Ned obeyed without question every order Josh 
gave. The boy had proven himself such a capable 
leader that his judgment could well be accepted 
without hesitation. 

It was no slight task to carry their boat into the 
thicket ; but it was finally accomplished, and there, 
where the foliage entirely hid her from view, she 
was laid on one side, thus forming a barricade in 
case of a conflict. 

“I don’t know much ’bout buildin’ redoubts, sich 
as that soldier crowed over ; but here’s one after 
our own fashion that won’t come amiss if that 
feller in the boat is Sim, an’ he finds out we’re 
here.” 

Bart was carried behind the “ fortification ” with 
but little regard for his personal comfort in the 
manner of transportation, and with him went his 
musket and ammunition. 

These preparations had been made so hurriedly 
that when they w^ere completed the approaching 
craft was yet half a mile distant. 


188 


WITH LA FA YETTE A T YORKTO WN. 


“ You two stay here, an’ I’ll sneak out till I know 
who it is, an’ whether there’s a chance of his landin’ 
here.” 

He was absent not more than ten minutes, and 
returned hurriedly as he said softly : 

“ It’s Sim sure enough, an’ he’s alone. The boat 
is headed straight for this place, where I reckon he 
counts on pickin’ up Bart.” 

The gentleman referred to, hearing the words, 
rolled his eyes at Josh in what he probably intended 
should be a terrifying manner. 

“ You’d like to have a chance to give one screech, 
wouldn’t you ?” Josh asked as he prodded the man 
with the butt of his own musket. “Well, if you 
should happen to get that gag out while he’s here, 
an’ tried anything of the kind, I’d shoot you mighty 
quick. The game we’re playin’ now is one in which 
the crowd that gets whipped stands a good show of 
bein’ hanged, an’ I don’t mean to be on that side, 
specially if killin’ you would prevent it.” 

“ Tell us just what you count on doing. Josh ?” 
Ben asked. “ It seems as if we oughter know, more 
particularly since I believe our wisest course would 
have been to run away.” 

“ I can easy show you how that would have been 
foolish. Allow we went, we’d have to take Bart 
with us. That would make the boat jest so much 
harder to pull, an’ when Sim found his pardner was 
missin’, he’d be certain we lugged him off. That 
means he’d chase us, in a light craft, an’ with a 
musket that’ll carry a ball a long distance. If we 


AN ENFOHGED HALT 


189 


escaped, he’d know we went to the American lines, 
an’ wouldn’t show his nose there. It don’t seem to 
me as if we’d cut a very nice figger in sich a game.” 

“ What do you gain by stopping here ?” 

“We’ll get hold of both the precious villains. 
If Sim saw us haul the boat outer the water, he 
knows there are three of us, an’ it is only reason- 
able for him to suppose we’ve all got muskets. 
He won’t care to fight very long ag’in sich odds, 
an’ he’ll leave ; but without knowin’ who we are, so 
he’ll keep on to do as he’s agreed with General 
Cornwallis. We follow a dozen or so hours behind, 
an’ catch him in camp before he has a chance to 
give us the slip.” 

“ What if he decided to drive us out ? It can’t 
take many minutes to find this boat.” 

“That’s true enough; but she’s so hid by the 
bushes that he won’t know we’ve only one gun 
among three, an’ will be kinder skeery ’bout riskin’ 
his precious skin ag’in a party what can sta}^ under 
cover while he’s got to stand out in the open. 
Hark 1 He’s callin’ for Bart ! We’ll keep quiet, an’ 
not do any fightin’ unless he begins it.” 


190 


WITH LAFA YETTE AT YOEKTOWN. 


CHAPTEE XIY. 

A STERN CHASE. 

It was only possible for the boys to see Sim from 
time to time, so dense was the foliage which hid 
them from view ; bat the slightest sound could 
readily be heard, and thus they were able to follow 
his movements accurately. 

During five minutes or more he sat in the boat 
calling Bart b}^ name, and the helpless prisoner did 
his best to remove the gag, that he might make 
known his whereabouts, until Josh threatened hina 
with the butt of his musket. 

“ He’s landing,” H^d said at length, as he peered 
through the leaves, r It won’t do to let him get 
very near.”^/^ / 

‘‘I’ll stafia ready to fire — Say, why wouldn’t it 
bea, g6od idea^^cripple him at the first chance, and 
Josh pressedrorward eagerly, as if about to carry 
his plan into execution before it could be discussed. 

“I don't like the idea of such a thing,” Hed 
replied in a doubtful tone, while Ben objected 
strenuously. 

“ It wouldn’t be right to shoot unless we were 
certain he really intends to act the part of a spy,” Hed 
said in a whisper. “Besides, one prisoner is about 


A STERN CHASE. 


191 


as much as we can take care of during the remain- 
der of the journey.” 

“ He’ll never stop actin’ the spy as long as there’s 
a shillin’ to be made by it ; but I reckon you’re 
right ’bout luggin’ him so far. If he keeps away, 
well an’ good; but in case he gets too near we must 
settle matters, for once he finds out how we’re fixed 
there’ll be trouble for us.” _ 

Sim stood on the shore looking hastily around 
while he continued to shout for Bart, and then sud- 
denljT', as if having seen something to alarm him, 
leaped on board the craft, rowing rapidly up the 
river. 

“ He’s found where we’d hauled the boat out, an’ 
don’t like the looks of things,” Josh said with a 
chuckle of satisfaction. “ We can be pretty cer- 
tain he didn’t see us on the shore, or he’d never 
landed. Sim Perkins don’t fight ’less he’s cor- 
nered, an’ then it takes a good man to handle 
him.” 

The boys crept out from their place of conceal- 
ment to where a view of the river could be gained, 
and there watched the tory until he disappeared 
from sight. 

“How he’s between us and the camp,” Ben said 
in a tone of dissatisfaction. “ I can’t see how we’ve 
got the best of this business.” 

“ It’ll be easier to keep out of his way while 
we’re behind, than if he was chasin’ us,’’ Josh re- 
plied. “We can go our own gait now ; but must 
take gooa care he doesn’t slip past us on his way 


192 


WITH LAFA TETTE A T YORKTO WN. 


back. I don’t allow he’ll stop a great while after 
bearin’ General Washington is on his way here, an’ 
that he’s sure to find out before bein’ in camp an 
hour. 

Then Josh went back to where the prisoner had 
been left, and, removing the gag that Bart might 
be able to reply to his questions, said : 

“ Sim has gone on, bound for General Lafayette’s 
camp, so we shan’t be bothered with him for quite 
a spell. 

“ You’re carry in’ things with a high hand jest 
now ; but my turn’ll come, and when it does you’ll 
wish you’d never seen this part of the country,” 
Bart growled. 

‘‘That’s all right. I believe what you say, so 
there’s no need of wastin’ time threatenin’. We’re 
goin’ to leave in an hour or so, an" 3^ou"ll go with 
us. Our provisions have been used up, an" all 
hands will be hungry for the next twenty-four 
hours, "less you"re willin" to tell me where your 
stock is, for it don"t stand to reason Sim left you 
without grub enough to last till he got back. 

“ You"ll starve if you wait for me to tell you !” 

“ All right, only we don"t allow to do the starv- 
in’. It won"t be hard to pick up somethin" along 
the river; but we shan’t spend much time foragin’ 
for you. It’s a case of mighty short allowance ; 
but we can manage somehow,” and Josh moved 
away as if he had no further interest in the conver- 
sation. 

Bart understood what would be the result if he 


A STERN CHASE 


193 


remained silent, and the idea of being without food 
for twenty -four hours caused him to feel hungry at 
once. 

“Hold on!” he cried with a groan, and Josh 
turned back. “ G-ive me some water now, an’ I’ll 
tell all you want to know.” 

“ Better free your mind first, an’ then there 
won’t be so much chance of goin’ back on your 
word.” 

“ But I’m almost dead for a drink. That blow 
you gave me was a tough one, an’ nearly sets me 
wild with pain.” 

Ben overheard this appeal, and since he had been 
the one who struck the man down, it seemed imper- 
ative he should minister to his wants. Banning to 
the river he soon returned with a can of water, but 
Josh prevented him from carrying out his charitable 
intentions immediately. 

“ Hold on a bit,” he said, seizing Ben’s arm, “ I’ve 
known this feller longer’n you have, an’ don’t have 
any too much faith in him. If he needs the water 
very bad, it won’t take but a minute for him to tell 
what I want to know.” 

“All the grub I’ve got is back here in the bushes 
about two hundred yards, along a path you’ll find 
jest below where you landed,” Bart said quickly. 

“ How did you happen to wait here while Sim 
went to see the Britishers ?” 

“ That was his scheme ; he thought he’d make a 
better trade by goin’ alone ; but I believe it was 
’cause he counted on gettin’ the best end of the 


194 


WITH LA FA YETTE A T 70RKT0 WH. 


bargain for himself. Now give me the water, will 
you ?” 

Josh released his hold of Ben’s arm, and the 
latter ministered to the prisoner’s wants as tenderly 
as a woman might have done. Master Higgins set- 
ting out in search of the store of provisions. 

Ten minutes later he returned to the improvised 
barricade with a generous supply of bacon, corn- 
meal, potatoes, and a frying-pan. 

“I reckon we’ll have one square feed before 
tacklin’ them oars ag’in,” he said as he began his 
preparations for cooking. “ The tories didn’t mean 
to starve while on this trip, an’ by now Sim must be 
wishin’ he had his share of the stuff.” 

No time was wasted in making the meal ready, 
and the boys ate heartily, Ben feeding the prisoner 
after his own hunger had been appeased. 

Then the boat was taken to the water, Bart’s out- 
fit stowed inside, and the boys carried their prisoner 
on board, placing him in the stern where the 
helmsman could attend to his wants. 

About two hours had elapsed since Sim dis- 
appeared from view, and Josh said, when the 
preparations were made : 

“ I reckon we can afford to start now. He’ll be 
pullin’ for all he’s worth, but we’ll take things 
easy.” 

“ See here,” Bart said with a whine as the boys 
were about to put off, ‘‘ what’s the use of takin’ me 
with you? It’ll be a heap easier if I’m left behind. 
I can’t do you any harm now you’ve got my 


A STERN CHASE. 


195 


musket, an’ I’ll promise to make tracks for home. I 
have had enough of this kind of work, and 
wouldn’t have started in it but for Sim.” 

‘‘We’re willin’ to take it a little harder for the 
sake of keepin’ you with us,” Josh replied with a 
laugh. “We don’t have so much faith in your 
promise that we can afford to run many chances 
on it.” 

“ But what harm could I do you 

“ That’s what I don’t know, an’ shan’t find out by 
tryin’ the experiment.” 

“ Where are you countin’ on takin’ me ?” 

“ To General Lafayette.” 

“ What for ?” 

“Jest to show him how a tory looks.” 

“ But I haven’t done anything ag’in him.” 

“ That’s ’cause you didn’t have the chance, an’ 
we want to make certain you’re where no mischief 
can be done. There’s no use talkin’ ’bout it,” he 
added as Bart was on the point of making another 
appeal. “ You’re to go with us, an’ that settles it.” 

Ben looked sympathizingly at the prisoner, and 
his comrades understood that if the decision had 
been left to him, the tory would soon be free to 
plot again against his countrymen. 

The boys pulled with a steady stroke when the 
boat was pushed off from the bank, and at every 
bend in the river slowed up to make certain Sim 
was nowhere in sight, for their purpose was to keep 
so far in the rear he would remain in ignorance of 
the fact that they were following. 


196 


WITH LAFA 7ETTE A T YO UKTO WN. 


ITot until sunset did they make a stop, and then 
it was for the purpose of cooking another meal from 
the provisions furnished by Bart. 

All were thoroughly tired, but there was no 
thought of prolonging the halt. 

Ned built the fire while Josh was cutting the 
bacon, and as soon as the food had been cooked and 
eaten they were under way once more, with no in- 
tention of stopping again until sunrise. 

In this respect they failed to carry out the 
programme decided upon. 

At two o’clock in the morning they were so weary 
that even Josh was willing to call a halt, and the 
boat was hauled up on the shore near a thicket in 
which they would find shelter from the dew. 

No watch was kept while they slept ; Sim was 
their only enemy in that vicinity, and it was rea- 
sonable to suppose he would push ahead until reach- 
ing the American lines, therefore they had nothing 
to fear. 

The boys and their prisoner slept soundly every 
moment of the four hours, which was the time 
agreed upon for the halt, and when they were 
awakened Josh had breakfast ready. 

I count that Sim is in the American camp by 
this time,” Master Higgins said while they were 
eating. ‘‘ He’ll find out in short order what was 
happenin’ at General Washington’s quarters when 
he saw it last, an’ most likely will be in a hurry to 
tell Cornwallis the news before anybody can get 
ahead of him.” 


A STERN CHASE. 


197 


‘‘ Well Ked asked as Josh paused. 

“ Well, it stands us in hand to keep a mighty 
sharp lookout from now on. Sim must never get 
back to Yorktown, no matter what it costs us to 
stop him.” 

“ But you are only guessing he’ll attempt to go 
back to-day,” Ben suggested. 

“ That’s all ; but it seems the reasonable idea. It 
won’t cost much time to make certain, an’ a good 
deal depends on us jest now.” 

When they set out again, Bart’s musket, loaded 
and carefully primed, was placed where Master 
Higgins could reach it at a moment’s warning. 

The order to the helmsman was to come up under 
the lee of every bend in the river, and the banks on 
either side were to be scrutinized closely to learn if 
Sim had landed. 

In such careful fashion the boys proceeded at 
about half the speed which would have been possi- 
ble under other circumstances, and the day4)assed 
without anything having been seen of the spy. 

They had sailed from the York into the Pamun- 
key River, and when the sun set were in a narrow 
portion of the stream, on either side of which were 
high banks. 

“ We must be getting close to the American 
lines,” Hed said as the boat was headed for the 
shore that supper might be prepared. 

“ I reckon we are,” the cook replied ; “ but it 
looks to me as if we’d better not go any further 
to-night.” 


198 


WITH LAFA YETTE AT TORKTO WN. 


“Why not? We can reach the camp by morn- 
ing, and it is necessary General Lafayette should 
know the result of our visit.” 

“ That news can wait when Sim is to be stopped 
from goin’ back to the Britishers. It’s certain he 
knows by this time that General Washington is 
about to make a move, an’ almost as certain he'll 
leave the camp before another day dawns. Here 
we can count pretty safe on bein’ able to stop him, 
while if we go further up he may have a better 
chance to give us the slip.” 

This time it was Hed who believed Josh was 
taking too many chances in order to make a pris- 
oner of Sim, and he said so plainly. 

“ I’m sorry if that’s the way you feel about it,” 
Josh replied mournfully, “ but it can’t be helped, 
you’ll have to go on, I reckon.” 

“What do you mean ?” and Ben looked alarmed. 
“ Why do you say we will go on ?” 

“ Because I’m going to stop here.” 

“But we mustn’t separate,” Ked cried. 

“Heither must Sim be allowed to carry the news 
to the Britishers. You keep on, an’ I’ll stop. You 
7nay find that he hasn’t had a chance to leave camp, 
an’ in that case I reckon one of the soldiers will be 
willin’ to bring me word.” 

Hed and Ben looked at each other in dismay. 

Neither of them cared to continue the journey 
without Josh, and both were opposed to risking an 
encounter with the tory in the night. 

“ I’m sorry you fellers can’t think ’bout this 


A STERN CHASE. 


199 


thing the same way 1 do,” J osh said after a long 
pause ; “ I don’t believe we’ve got a right to leave 
here where we can keep the whole river in view 
until daylight, when there ain’t much danger of his 
slippin’ past.” 

“That settles it,” Ned replied with more show 
of temper than he had ever displayed. “We must 
stop, of course ; but when it’s two to one you should 
give in.” 

“ So I would if we wasn’t fixed exactly as we 
are.” and understanding bow useless it was to pro- 
long the conversation while his companions were 
in their present humor. Josh gave all his attention 
to cooking the meal. 

“ You fellers have been in Lafayette’s camp 
already ?” Bart said musingly, and Ned knowing 
nothing could now be gained by denying the fact, 
replied : 

“ Yes, an’ paid a visit to the Britishers as well, so 
you can see we didn’t put very much faith in your 
statement that you’d kept close at our heels since 
the scrimmage in the woods.” 

“ It beats creation how you’ve fooled us all the 
way along,” Bart muttered half to himself, and Ned 
regretted that he had made any objections to 
remaining over night in this place, as he thought 
that but for Josh the men would not have been 
“ fooled ” so thoroughly. 

When supper had been eaten Master Higgins 
prepared for a night’s vigil. 

The boat was pushed sufficiently far from the 


200 


WITH LA FA 7ETTF AT TOEKTOWN. 


shore to permit of her remaining afloat, yet not at 
such a distance but that she could be boarded 
readily, and there anchored. 

The musket was looked to carefully to make 
certain it was in perfect working order, and then 
Josh said : 

“Now you fellers can turn in.” 

“We don’t intend that you shall stand watch 
alone,” Ned said decidedly. “Even though I didn’t 
believe in halting here so long, I expect to carry 
out your plan fully.” 

“But there’s no need for more than one of us to 
keep guard. It won’t be so dark but that I will 
see a boat some time before it can reach the nar- 
rows, and then you shall be awakened.” 

“ What do you intend to do if he comes ?” 

“ Pull right out into the stream so he can’t row 
past, an’ make him surrender.” 

“ He’ll shoot you before that happens,” Bart 
growled. 

“ 1 don’t believe he will. Before he knows we’re 
here, I shall cover him with your musket, and fire 
if he makes a single motion to pick up his gun. 
Now try to sleep, an’ I promise to give warnin’ in 
time. If no one shows up, you’ll be in good con- 
dition for to-morrow’s work.” 

“ Why not let me do my share?” Ned asked. 

“ Because I couldn’t go to sleep if I laid down,” 
and as a ready way of bringing the conversation to 
a close, Josh walked rapidly up river, keeping well 
within the shadow of the bushes. 


A STERN CHASE. 


201 


It was a dreary vigil during the first half of the 
night. 

The silence was so profound as to be almost 
oppressive, and many times he was forced to exert 
all his will power against the inclination to sleep. 

He had begun to fancy he was foolish in taking 
the precaution of remaining* at this place, when a 
faint sound in the distance caused him to start 
forward eagerly. 

The water served as a good conductor for the 
noise which had broken the silence, and in a few 
moments there could be no mistake as to it nature. 

It was the sound of oars, and Josh felt positive 
the late-comer was none other than the tory whom 
he was so eager to capture. 

Stealing softly back to where his comrades lay 
sleeping, he awakened Hed. 

“ Somebody’s pullin’ down stream, and I reckon 
it’s Sim. You must gag Bart, an’ see that it’s done 
so he can’t so much as squeak. Then come down 
to the boat ; I’ll be there.” 

Hed aroused Ben, and the two boys obeyed the 
order given, despite Bart’s most earnest protests 
that he would not so much as “ yip ” if allowed free 
use of his mouth. 

There was no time to argue with him, and in an 
expeditious manner the prisoner was rendered 
powerless to give an alarm. 

Josh had the bow of the boat against the bank 
when the boys arrived. 

“You are to pull straight out in the stream, an’ 


202 


WITH LAFA YETTE AT YOHKTOWN, 


then turn her head up, when I give the word,” he 
whispered. “ After that’s been done, lay down in 
the bottom.” 

“What for?” 

“ In case he shoots before I can.” 

“We don’t intend to shirk any danger. Josh, and 
shall sit just as straight a3 you do,” IS’ed said hotly. 

Master Higgina^made no reply. The fever of ex- 
citement that had come upon him was too great to 
permit of many words. It was necessary he should 
conquer his nerves before the decisive moment came, 
and IS'ed’s remark passed almost unheeded. 

There was no need of watching the approaching 
craft ; the splashing of water by the oars told 
plainly of the advance. 

“Be ready now,” Josh whispered in a tremulous 
voice. “ Don't strike the water till I give the word, 
an’ then pull the best you know how !” 

There was a time of anxious suspense, which 
seemed very long, although not more than three or 
four minutes elapsed, and then, just as the bow of 
the approaching boat could be seen around the 
point. Josh gave the signal. 

Master Higgins’ weapon was already raised, and 
the instant the occupant of the craft could be seen, 
it was leveled at his head. 

“Make a single move an’ I’ll kill you!” Josh 
cried in a loud voice. “ Drop the oars, an’ hold up 
your hands!” 

Sim, for the newcomer was none other than he, 
could see the barrel of the musket shimmering in 



“ Make a single move and I’ll shoot you,” Josh cried in a loud voice. “Drop 
the oars and hold up your hands.”— Page SOS. 







A STEHN CBA8E, 


203 


the rays of the moon, and although far from being 
a coward, he was not foolhardy. 

•Almost an}^ ordinary marksman should be able 
to send a bullet that distance with deadly aim, and 
Sim’s hands were above his head in a twinkling. 

“ Pull over to him,” Josh said to his comrades, 
but nev^er for an instant taking his eyes from the 
man. 

It’s you, eh ?” Sim cried savagely, and Josh 
fancied he meditated resistance. 

“You know I’ve got good reason to shoot at the 
first show of trouble, an’ I shall doit! A dead 
tory is worth three livin’ ones.” 

“ What’s started you out on this game, eh ? I’ve 
quit tryin’ to even things for what you did at Ben- 
nington, an’ am willin’ to be friends.” 

“ Don’t be so foolish as to make a move ?” Josh 
said in a warning tone, and to his comrades he 
added. “ Pull up an’ get his musket ; then tow his 
craft ashore. Pll keep the advantage I’ve got, an’ he 
won’t live to play any trick while you’re doin’ the 
work.” 

A few more strokes of the oars and the bows of 
the boats touched, which brought Sim with his back 
to the captors. 

Ned scrambled over the side, took possession of a 
musket and two pistols which were on the thwart 
just in front of the tor}^, and when he had passed 
them to Ben, Josh asked : 

“ Can’t you find somethin’ there that we can tie 
his hands with 

“Won’t the painter of the boat serve?” 


204 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT YORKTOWN. 


Yes ; be quick about it, an’ don’t get between 
him an’ me while you’re doin’ it, for I don’t allow 
to take any chances.” 

If Sim had known all that had occurred within 
the past few days it is more than probable he might 
not have submitted so quietly. He would have 
argued that it was better to fight against over- 
whelming odds than yield to be taken back to the 
American lines and there proven a spy. 

He was in ignorance of the fact that the boys had 
been in General Lafayette’s camp, or knew he 
came from an interview with Cornwallis, therefore 
probably believed the worst that could befall him 
would be a vexatious detention. 

“Lash him to the thwart !” Josh shouted. “ We 
won’t take the chances of his jumpin’ overboard.” 

“You must think I’m a fool! Who would be 
crazy enough to do sich a thing as that with his 
hands tied,- eh ?” 

Josh waited until Hed had completed his task, 
and then said slowly : 

“ I should be that crazy, I reckon, rather than be 
taken to General Lafayette’s camp by three fellers 
what left you in Yorktown tr^dn’ to make a trade 
with Cornwallis.’’ 

Sim started as if moved by an electric current. 

“Who says I was there?” he cried savagely. 

“I do. We left the place the same day you 
did ; went down to sell fish, an’ happened to hear 
you talkin’ with a soldier,” and Josh, now his 
prisoner was helpless, seized one of the oars to row 
to the shore. 


A TRIUMPHAL RETURN. 


20b 


CHAPTEE XY. 

A TRIUMPHAL RETURN. 

Ned, after securing Sim in such a way that he 
could not so much as move from the thwart, grasped 
the stern of the other craft, and in this manner the 
tory and his boat were towed ashore. 

When they were on the bank. Josh, in order to 
enjoy the meeting between the partners, removed 
the gag from Bart’s mouth, and called Sim’s atten- 
tion to his friend. 

“ You must be a small part of a man to let these 
boys take you prisoner,” Sim growled. 

‘‘ I don’t know as I’m very much worse off than 
you.” 

I was in a boat, an’ run on to them when I 
didn’t s’pose there was a Yankee this side the 
camp.” 

“ At the same time they’ve got you foul, an’ I 
reckon there ain’t much to choose between our 
situations.” 

“ But you were ashore,” Sim persisted, ‘‘ and 
might have defended yourself.” 

“ There’s no use for you to quarrel as to which 
was the most careless,” Josh interrupted. “ We’ve 


206 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT YOBKTOWN, 


got the best of both, an’ intend to hold the advan- 
tage a spell longer. Say, Ned, do you think it will 
pay to pull two boats back to camp ?” 

“ It’s going to be a hard job ; but I’m afraid five 
people will be too big a load for one craft.” 

“ That is my idea, but yet I don’t fancy quite so 
much work. We’d better decide, an’ start at once ; 
you fellers have had sleep enough to last till the 
end of another day.” 

u We’re all right,” Ben replied quickly. “ Take 
hold, an’ we’ll stow Mr. Hodgkins alongside his 
friend.” 

“ Do you really mean to carry me back to the 
American camp ?” Bart asked, as if surprised that 
such a course should be contemplated for a single 
instant. 

‘‘ That is exactly what we count on doin’.” 

“But see here, Josh,” and Sim spoke in the most 
friendly tone imaginable, “ you don’t want to do 
anything of the kind, eh ? Let’s figure this thing 
up, eh 

“ Go ahead ; but I don’t allow you’ll make very 
much out of it.” 

“ You can’t earn a shillin’ doin’ this, an’ I’ll show 
you a chance to turn an honest penny, eh ? You 
know that place of mine near Manchester, eh ?” 

“ Of course I do. 

“ Well, turn us loose now, an’ I’ll make it over to 
you, eh ? It’s worth fifty pounds if it’s worth a 
penny.” 

“You’re too modest, Mr. Perkins,” Josh replied 


A TRIUMPHAL RETURN. 


207 


with a hearty laugh. “ Do you know I set a 
higher price on your head alone 

‘‘ Then give me the chance, an’ keep Bart, eh ? I 
don’t know why I should try to get him out of the 
scrape ; he’s never been anythin’ more’n a draw- 
back to me. Untie these ropes, hand me my mus- 
ket, an’ the place is your’n, eh ? You can keep the 
pistols to remember me by, eh ?” 

“I couldn’t think of makin’ sich a cheap trade, 
Mr. Perkins,” Josh said with mock gravity. 
“ You’re worth a bigger price, an’ I allow General 
Cornwallis would pay more for the news you 
counted on carryin’ him.” 

“ ril give you half I get from him, eh ?” 

Josh shook his head. 

“You shall have a hundred pounds; but you 
must go to the English lines before I can get it.” 

“We’ve kinder ’greed among ourselves that it 
wouldn’t be good for our health to strike that place 
ag’in till we go with the Continental army. See 
here, Sim Perkins,” and Josh’s tone changed very 
suddenly, “ there isn’t any use in makin’ this talk. 
I only gave you the chance to see how high you 
valued your neck. We’re bound to carry you to the 
American lines, an’ that settles it.” 

For the first time since his capture Sim displayed 
signs of fear. Until this moment he probably be- 
lieved it would be a simple matter to coax the boys 
into releasing him ; but now he began to doubt. 

“ I’ll give you twice as much as you’ll get from 
the Yankees, an’ you can keep Bart, eh?” 


208 


WITH LAFA YETTE AT YORKTOWN. 


“ We count on keepin’ both of jou. Come on, 
boys, let’s pack up Mr. Hodgkins.” 

Ned assisted in the transportation of Bart, who 
was not able to walk owing to the many wrappings 
of cord, and when he had been laid in the bottom 
of the boat, Josh began to devise more secure bonds 
for Sim. 

We’ll truss him up same’s his partner, an’ stow 
’em ’longside of each other,” he said, as he began 
overhauling the remainder of the fishing-lines. 

“You don’t understand what it is to make an 
enemy of me !” Sim cried, now so angry as to omit 
the usual termination of his sentences. “ I’ll hunt 
you to the death for this job, an’ when I say a thing 
I mean it.” 

“Yes, we know all that, an’ yet we’re goin’ to 
take the chances. Pull him ’round a bit, Ned, so’s 
I can get his legs together.” 

Sim struck out viciously with both feet, but Josh 
was prepared for just such an exhibition, and deftly 
avoided the kick. 

“ I’ll thump you over the head with an oar if you 
try anything like that again !” he cried, and the 
prisoner understood that the threat would be car- 
ried into execution without hesitation. 

From that moment he remained passive, and the 
boys soon had him in as helpless a condition as was 
Bart. 

This done, both men were placed in the bottom 
of Sim’s boat, and there tied to the thwarts lest they 
should contrive to roll out, for Josh feared one or 


A TRIUMPHAL RETURM, 


209 


both might attempt to commit suicide rather than 
be taken where they would probably be condemned 
as spies. 

“We’ll tow the boat with them in it,” Master 
Higgins said when his arrangements were com- 
pleted. “ It’s goin’ to be a precious hard job, but I 
don’t see any other way out of it.” 

The remnant of Bart’s store of provisions was 
placed in the boys’ craft, together with the 
weapons, which now numbered two muskets and as 
many revolvers. 

Hothing more remained to be done, and the 
journey was resumed without delay, Sim cursing 
and threatening until Josh warned him that he 
would be gagged unless the noise was stopped. 

“We’ll shift places every half hour,” Master 
Higgins suggested when they were well under way. 
“ ’Cordin’ to ray way of thinkin’ we don’t want to 
make another halt this side of the American lines, 
an’ it won’t pay to work too long at a time.” 

“ After having accomplished so much it doesn’t 
seem as if I should ever feel tired,” Hed replied. 
“ Just fancy what we’ve done since leaving Dobbs 
Ferry!” 

“ It’s been a clear case of luck all through.” 

“ That’s not right. Josh, and you know it. It is 
due to good planning and caution, for all of which 
you are responsible. I’m sorry I made a kick 
against halting last night ; but I was tired ” 

“ Don’t say anything about it. We stopped, an’ 
that settles the whole thing.” 


UlO 


^ITE LAFAYETTE AT YORETOWN, 


“ Yes, we stopped because you insisted on it. If 
you had agreed to do as we thought best, Sim might 
have slipped past us, for the sound of our oars 
would have warned him to keep out of sight.” 

“It’s enough for me that we’ve got him snug an’ 
sound,” Josh replied, looking at the helpless 
prisoners with an air of satisfaction. 

“ It won’t be enough for me until every one 
knows that all the credit belongs to you.” 

“ But I won’t allow anything of the kind,” and 
now Josh spoke sharply. “ What’s done, has been 
done by all, an’ no feller is to have more credit 
than another. You an’ Ben turned a little rusty 
last night, 'but that don’t cut an^^ ^gg^r now. 
You wanted to prevent Sim from reachin’ the 
English camp as bad as I did, only you was mis- 
taken as to how it was to be done.” 

]^ed did not continue the conversation, but in 
his own mind he was resolved that Josh should 
receive all the praise to which he was entitled, 
when they were among their friends. 

During the remainder of the night, and until late 
in the afternoon of the next day, the boys worked 
with a will. 

Two halts were made, one in the morning and 
another at noon, that food might be cooked, and 
then, the provisions having been consumed, there 
was, as Josh said grimly, “nothin’ more to hinder” 
the progress. 

The prisoners remained comparatively silent. 
Several times they conversed together in low tones. 


A TRIUMPHAL RETURN. 




and on each of these occasions Josh made a careful 
examination of the ropes which confined them, 
fearing lest they had discovered some opportunity 
for escape. 

The sun was hanging low in the heavens when, 
while they believed themselves yet a long distance 
from the American camp, they were hailed by a 
picket hidden among the trees. 

“Who goes there?” he cried, and his voice 
sounded as sweetest music to the weary boys’ ears. 

“Are we inside the American lines?” Josh 
asked, rising to his feet in the excitement of the 
moment. 

“ I reckon you’re mighty close to ’em. Are you 
the boys who come from JS’ew Hampshire ?” 

“ The same ones ? Where shall we land ?” 

“’Bout half a mile up the river will be the best 
place. I was stationed here to let ’em know when 
you got along, but we didn’t count on seein’ you for 
quite a spell yet,” and as he ceased speaking the 
picket discharged two pistols in rapid succession. 

“ Whai’s that for ?” Josh asked, startled by the 
reports. 

“ To let ’em know you’ve hove in sight. It was 
Colonel Stewart’s orders. 

Josh resumed his work at the oars, and Ben said 
in a tone so low that it could not be overheard by 
the sentinel : 

“ It looks as if they was goin’ to receive us in 
great shape.” 

“ There’s good reason why they should, as will 
soon be known,” Hed replied. 

/ 


212 WITH LA FA YETTE A T TOBKTO WN. 


“ Say, -what are you towin’ ?” the man on shore 
cried curiously. 

“A couple of friends what we’ve invited to stop 
with us a spell.” 

“ Look here, ain’t one of ’em the same man what 
left our camp yesterday ?” 

I reckon he is.” 

“There’s no reason to keep him^ in that shape. 
The general sent him on business, an’ trouble may 
grow out of sich a job.” 

“ That part of it is all right,” Josh cried cheerily. 
“We’re bringin’ him back ’cause he forgot part of 
his errand.” 

The soldier looked perplexed ; but by this time 
the boats were so far from him that a conversation 
could not well be prolonged, and Josh said with a 
chuckle of satisfaction : 

“ There’ll be more’n him surprised at seein’' Sim 
come back in this shape. He’s a good one, to fool 
all hands after we’d warned Colonel Stewart ’bout 
him.” 

“ I don’t believe we told the story as strongly as 
we should have done,” Ned suggested. “We 
thought it wouldn’t be possible for him to get here 
very soon, and failed to explain the whole matter.” 

“ I reckon you’re right. After we’d been most 
scared to death, I didn’t give any big amount of 
thought to Sim, for a fact, an’ if I hadn’t heard his 
tender voice at Yorktown, should have said for cer- 
tain he couldn’t be this side of New York. Say, if 


A TRIUMPHAL RETURN. 


213 


they’re ever goin’ to let us ’list, I allow this is the 
time when it should be done, eh ?” 

“ There’ll be no trouble about it now,” Ben said 
with a laugh, “an’ I reckon your uniform will be 
covered with gold lace.” 

‘‘ Soldiers don’t wear that kind of flummery, no 
matter what they’ve done,” Josh said quickly, and 
the words had hardly been spoken when a hail 
from the shore a short distance above told that the 
long journey had finall}^ come to an end. 

Colonel Stewart, accompanied by a small squad 
of soldiers, was on the bank, and his hearty greet- 
ing gave proof of what the boys might expect when 
they arrived at the camp. 

“Did you finish your business ?” he asked anx- 
iously, and Josh replied joyously : 

“Plum to the handle* an’ a little more.” 

“ Pull in here; this is the best place to land.” 

Not until the boat’s bow grated on the sand did 
Colonel Stewart observe the occupants of the sec- 
ond craft, and he asked quickly, a frown coming 
over his face : 

“ W hat have you been doing ? You had no right 
to take prisoners in this fashion.” 

“ 1 reckon you’ll think so when we introduce 
’em,” Josh said with a grin as he used an oar to 
designate the men. “ This feller is Mr. Sim Per- 
kins, the one we told you about. I heard him in 
General Cornwallis’ camp braggin’ that he could 
sneak up here an’ get all thQ information he wanted. 
I reckon he did it too, an’ if we hadn’t invited him 


‘>14 ^ITH LAFA TETTE A T YORKTO WN. 


to come with us, the Britishers would know by this 
time all that’s goin’ on.” 

“ Do you mean to say he was in the English 
camp when you arrived?” the colonel asked in 
surprise. 

“ He was for a fact.” 

“ It’s a lie !” Sim cried. “ I was on my way 
there, as you know, sir, when these young cubs 
caught me foul.” 

“ That’s all right, my dear Mr. Perkins,” Josh 
said with a laugh. “ There’ll be plenty of men here 
pretty soon who know you ’most as well as I do, so 
there’s no call to get excited.” 

‘‘ Who is the other prisoner?” 

“Mr. Bart Hodgkins, Sim’s pardner, an’ the feller 
what we shot one day when they tried to stop us. 
He’s marked, so you won’t have to bother ’bout 
findin’ folks what know himP 

Colonel Stewart gazed at each of the boys in turn, 
and then said feelingly : 

“If there has been no mistake made in this 
matter, you have rendered us such a service as it 
will be hard to repay.” 

“There mn be no mistake, sir,” Ned said 
earnestly. “We have had good reason to know 
them both. Sim may claim to be innocent ; but we 
can all swear that he is the man who gave us so 
much trouble — the one whom we were instructed to 
warn you against. I hope you will see that he 
does not have an opportunity to escape, and when 
the troops from New York arrive there will be but 
little difficulty in identifying him.” 


A TRIUMPHAL RETURN. 


215 


“ There is no cause to doubt your words, my 
brave boys. It is only natural I should be surprised 
at learning we have had a spy among us who 
succeeded in gaining the confidence of all. I will 
answer for his safety.” 

A few words spoken to a squad of soldiers, and 
the tories were provided with an ample escort. 

“ Look out for Sim !” Josh shouted as the men 
marched toward the camp with the prisoners in 
their midst. “ He’s slippery as an eel, an’ you’d 
best shoot mighty straight in case he tries to run !” 

“ 1^0 w we will go to headquarters,” Colonel 
Stewart said. “ I wanted to be the first to see you, 
for I have reproached myself with having been 
instrumental in sending boys on such a dangerous 
mission that men might well be pardoned for being 
afraid to attempt it.” 

“ It didn’t turn out very bad,” Josh replied care- 
lessly. “We jest went there, found out all we 
wanted to know in short order, an’ come back, that’s 
all.” 

Now was the time when Hed could keep the 
promise made to himself, and, despite Josh’s 
attempts to prevent him, he told the story of their 
journey. 

“ He is the one who did it all, sir. We have been 
with him, but if he had listened to us Sim would 
now be at the English camp telling General Corn- 
wallis that General Washington is coming this 
way.” 

“ I didn’t do more’n the others did.” 


216 WITH LA FA YETTE A T YORKTO WN. 


“You boys are as generous as you are brave, and 
I shall insist that each receive equal credit for the 
.work.” 

“ I reckon you mean that we can enlist and 
Josh looked up with a smile. 

“ You shall join the army, my boy, and that will 
not be sufficient reward for your services. I fancy 
I know what General Lafayette intends to do, but 
shall give no clue to my suspicions. I don’t think, 
however, that either will ever have cause to regret 
that he risked his life.” 

“ Capturin’ Sim was ’most enough to pay us, even 
if we’d done harder work ; but I can’t let up on the 
agreement that I’m to be a soldier.” 

“ I should be very sorr}^ if you had changed your 
mind in that respect. Here is my tent ; go in and 
get something to eat while I report your arrival to 
the general.” 

Colonel Stewart hurried away after the boys 
acted upon the suggestion, and for the second time 
in his life Josh sat down to a meal such as caused 
him surprise, both because of quantity and variety. 

The old negro seemed almost bursting with im- 
portance as he waited upon the three who had 
proven their claim to be called heroes, and Josh 
privately informed Ned that it would be possible 
for him to eat considerably more if there wasn’t 
“ so much fuss an’ feathers ’bout gettin’ at it.” 

“ I ’spects you gen’lemen hab done gone seen a 
right smart lot ob trabbelin’ sence 3^ou was hyar, 
sah?” the old darky began, evidently for the 


A TRIUMPHAL RETURN. 


217 


purpose of learning what the boys had done since 
their departure. 

‘‘ You’re right,” Ned replied with a laugh. “It’s 
been more traveling than eating ; but we seem to 
be in a fair way to settle the difference.” 

“ Marse Stewart done tole me I was ter mak’ a 
feas’ for you gen’lemen, if you ever cum back, an’ I 
jes’ did my bes’, sah.” 

“But how did you cook it so quickly? This food 
seemed to be ready when we came in.” 

“ So it was, honey, so it was. When Marse Stew- 
art done heard de signal, he yelled to me, an’ 
started fur de shore. Den I went ter wuk, an’ 
when a sperience cook gits down to wuk, sah, it 
ain’t long ’fore de job am completed. I spects, sah, 
you’se done completed your job, sah ?” 

“ Yes, I fancy we have, and after we tell the story 
at headquarters you shall hear it all.” 

“ I’se gwine ter be pow’fully obligated, sah, when 
I’se tole erbout it.” 

The entrance of Colunel Stewart put an end to 
the conversation, and the old darky redoubled his 
efforts in attending upon the guests lest his master 
should discover that he had been asking questions. 

“ The general is ready and eager to see you when 
your hunger has been satisfied,” he said, seating 
himself on a saddle as if to wait the pleasure of the 
feasters. 

“We won’t stop here an}^ longer,” and Ned rose 
hurriedly. “We can eat some other time.” 

“ Finish the meal,” the colonel commanded in a 


218 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT TORKTOWN, 


pleasant tone. ‘‘There is no necessity of such 
haste, and you are entitled to all the comfort we 
can give you.” 

The boys reseated themselves, but their appe- 
tites had fled with the announcement that the gen- 
eral was ready to receive them. 

“ I’ve been makin’ a pig of myself for the last five 
minutes, an’ it’s time I stopped,” Josh finally said. 
“We haven’t been on sich short allowance that 
we’ve got to be filled up like this.” 

“ When did you have your last meal ?” 

“ This morning. W hen we found Bart he had a 
big supply on hand, an’ we didn’t allow it should go 
to waste.” 

“ Living off the enemy, eh ?” 

“ Somethin’ like that, only we had to feed the 
enemy at the same time, an’ it was quite a job to 
do that while they could only hold their mouths 
open. I reckon we’d better wash up a little before 
we see the general ?” 

“ Go just as you are ; the stains of travel tell a 
story such as a soldier is always ready and pleased 
to hear. Your reception will be more cordial than 
it could ever be if you relied only on outward ap- 
pearances to gain favor. Now we will go, and I 
promise you shall soon be allowed to rest.” 

When the boys followed Colonel Stewart out of 
the tent they learned that it might not be an easy 
task to reach the general’s headquarters. 

The soldiers had a very good idea of where the 
young messengers were going, when they left the 


A TRIUMPHAL RETURN. 


219 


camp previousl}^', and had now gathered to show 
their appreciation of the work performed. 

A mighty shout went up as they emerged, and 
during several moments it was absolutely impossible 
for Colonel Stewart to force his way through the 
throng. 

He was obliged to appeal to them for assistance 
before he could move a dozen feet from his tent. 

“ I am glad 3^ou wish to show your gratitude to 
these brave lads,” he said, shouting at the full 
strength of his lungs in order that the words could 
be heard above the tumult ; but just at this 
moment your greetings are ill-timed. The general 
is waiting to receive his messengers, and you must 
not detain them. There will be ample opportunity 
to learn the result of their mission, at a later hour, 
when they are at liberty.” 

At this mild reproof the soldiers fell back, and 
the boys were allowed to proceed. 

“ Talk ’bout luck !” Josh whispered to Hed. 
“ What else can it be when a crowd of soldiers are 
willin’ to hurrah for me ?” 

“ It’s more than luck. Josh, it’s pluck, and that is 
why they are so eager to congratulate you.” 


220 


WITH LAFA TETTE AT TORKTOWN, 


CHAPTEE XYI. 

LIEUTENANT HIGGINS. 

When the young messengers were ushered into 
General Lafayette’s tent, they found him sur- 
rounded by his staff, every man of whom gave 
evidence of his desire to learn what had been 
accomplished. 

“My friends have returned,” the young general 
said as he advanced to grasp and press warmly the 
hand of each. “It was a dangerous journey you 
undertook, and more that once I regretted that a 
soldier had not been sent in your stead. Xow I am 
pleased no change was made in the plan, otherwise 
my lord Cornwallis would have full particulars of 
the movement which we wish should be kept a 
secret as long as possible.” 

The generous reception by the soldiers had served 
to confuse the boys slightly, and this cordial greet- 
ing caused them to lose all presence of mind. They 
stood silent and motionless, glancing alternately 
from the general to each other, until Josh said 
awkwardly : 

“ If you’re half as glad to see us as we are to get 
back, you must be havin’ a mighty good time.” 


LIEUTENANT HIGGINS. 


221 


“ So I am, lieutenant,” was the laughing reply. 
“ Perhaps you may never know how joyful I feel at 
this moment.” 

Josh turned to learn who had been addressed by 
the title of lieutenant, and then noting that the 
general’s eyes were fixed on him, concluded some 
mistake had been made. 

“We’re ’bout as glad as they make ’em,” he 
added, and then motioned for his comrades to say 
something, an act which caused great amusement 
to all the officers. 

“ If you can now tell us the story of your journey, 
lieutenant, we are ready to hear it,” Lafayette 
said, emphasizing the title. 

Again Josh looked around in astonishment. This 
time he was certain the word “ lieutenant ” had 
been addressed to him, and he wondered greatly 
that one who commanded an army should be so 
ignorant concerning the position of a boy who had 
not yet been allowed even to enlist. 

“ 1 thought you knew I wasn’t a soldier,” he said 
earnestly. “ Don’t you remember that you was to 
let us ’list if we went to Yorktown ?” 

“ I remember perfectly.” 

“ Then of course I ain’t a lieutenant before I’ve 
been a soldier.” 

“ Permit me to contradict you. I have requested 
of Lieutenant-general, the Count de Kochambeau, 
three commissions in the French wing of the army, 
and you are lieutenants, even though you have not 
enlisted. I have no question but that General 


222 


WITH LAFA 7ETTE AT YOBKTOWN. 


‘Washington will be very happy to give you a 
corresponding rank in his forces, if you should 
decide not to remain with my king.” 

Never were three boys more completely mystified 
than those who now stood before General Lafayette, 
observed keenly by all present. 

Ned advanced a pace as if about to speak, and 
then retreated to Colonel Stewart’s side. 

Ben looked from one to the other with incred- 
ulity written on every feature of his face, and Josh 
stared at the general several seconds, after which 
he said with emphasis : 

“ I reckon that soldier what promised to give me 
points will have his hands full for the next two or 
three days.” 

“We are impatient to hear your story,” the 
general said. 

“ You’d better tell it, Ned,” Josh whispered. 

Ned looked at Ben as if to say he should act as 
spokesman, but the latter declined the honor with a 
very decided gesture, and he began : 

“ I can only give you an account of what we did 
up to the time of landing. Then it was Josh who 
performed the mission, and he is entitled to all the 
credit of preventing Sim Perkins from returning to 
the English camp.” 

Then, with due regard to every detail, but care- 
ful not to prolong the story beyond reasonable 
limits, Ned gave an entertaining account of their 
movements until the arrival at Yorktown. 

This done, he glanced at Josh, and the latter con- 


LIEUTENANT HIGGINS. 


223 


tinued the narrative, not only repeating what had 
been said to him by the soldier who acted as guard, 
but traced with a stick on the ground the relative 
position of each important redoubt. 

In referring to the war vessels, he described their 
rig so exactly that the listeners understood to 
what class they belonged, and he concluded by 
telling what he had heard Sim say. 

This done, he stopped, and Ned was about to 
describe the return journey, when Ben, with an 
unusual show of boldness, said : 

“ Fd like to tell the rest of the story, for I acted 
like a coward, and the general should know it 
before he makes me really a soldier.” 

He was so partial to Josh as he related the in- 
cidents, and bore so hardly upon his own lack of 
courage, that his comrades interrupted him several 
times, and when he concluded General Lafayette 
said warmly : 

“ I shall never believe that a boy who makes such 
a confession as you have just made, and at the 
same time praises his comrades so heartily, can be a 
coward. You have been afraid, my friend, that is 
all. There are many times when the bravest are 
afraid, but the fact that they do their duty despite 
their fear, proves them heroes. There is no mistake 
as to the character of the man whom you captured 
after he left this camp ?” 

“ Not the slightest, sir. Both Ben and I have 
seen him several times, and Josh knows him well. 
He lives between Manchester and Nashua ; is a 


224 WITH LAFA TETTE AT TORKTOWN. 

tory, and has acted as a spy for General Clinton. 
He does not do this to assist the king, but simply 
to make money. When the other soldiers get here 
you will find plenty who know him.” 

“ See to it that he is carefully guarded,” Lafayette 
said to a captain who stood near. “We will hold 
him prisoner until the arrival of General Washing- 
ton’s army. I would not have these boys begin 
their military career by acting as witnesses when 
their evidence must condemn a man to death.” 

The captain left the tent, and the general said to 
the young lieutenants : ^ 

“ You are in need of rest. Until other quarters 
can be provided. Colonel Stewart will receive you 
as his guests. To-morrow at dress parade you will 
report for duty to me personally.” 

He had half turned as if to signify that the inter- 
view was at an end, when Josh cried eagerly : 

“ See here, general ! There ain’t any mistake 
’bout our really bein’ soldiers?” 

“ You have the rank of lieutenants, in the service 
of his most gracious majesty, my king, Louis XYI. 
You are on detached duty under my command, and 
I doubt not will have good opportunity to give yet 
further proofs of bravery and a love for your 
country.” 

The general turned again to the members of his 
staff, and Colonel Stewart beckoned the boys to 
follow him from the tent. 

Just outside he halted to say : 

“Go to my quarters, and make yourselves at 


LIEUTENANT HIGGINS. 


22o 


home. I shall see you again later, but now 1 must 
remain here to discuss the news you have brought. 
I salute you, lieutenant,” he added laughingly as he 
bowed to Josh. 

“ That’s jest the tronble,” Master Higgins said in 
a comical tone, “I’m afraid all of you think that’s a 
good joke, an’ it won’t ’mount to anything more.” 

“You heard what the general said,” and now 
Colonel Stewart spoke seriously. “ Gentlemen do 
not play such jokes. You are as positively lieuten- 
ants, as I am a colonel.” 

With this he left the boys to find their way to 
his tent as best they could, and when they were 
thus comparatively alone. Josh cried : 

“ Talk ’bout luck ! It wasn’t pluck that made us 
lieutenants !” 

“ What was it f ’ 

“ General Lafayette.” 

“ But it was because you had pluck, and nothing 
else. Ben and I are the ones who should believe in 
luck, because we have jumped into the army with 
commissions before we knew how to handle a 
musket, on your reputation.” 

“See here, Hed,” Josh said gravely, “I don’t 
want to hear you say anything like that again ; it 
ain’t fair. What one did, all did, an’ I ask you 
honestly not to keep puffin’ me up this way.” 

“Yery well, lieutenant, your orders shall be 
obeyed.” 

“Much obliged. Lieutenant Allen,” and Josh did 
his best at giving a military salute. “Do you 


226 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT YORKTOWN. 


think I look much like an officer in this rig ? Say, I 
reckon we shall have to wear uniforms 

“ Of course.” 

“ An’ I’ve been told officers have to buy all their 
clothes themselves.” 

“ Father did,” Ben replied. 

“ Well,” and Josh surveyed his tattered garments, 
‘‘ ’less I can sell that mule I’ll come out mighty slim 
on some of the fixin’s.” 

“ You’ll be no worse off than I,” IS'ed said with a 
look of perplexity. ‘‘ We’re about even in the way 
of money, and I don’t see what can be done.” 

“ Father will rig up some kind of a plan when he 
comes,” Ben said positively. “ Don’t you think we’d 
better turn in ? It’s nearly dark, and I feel as if I 
hadn’t had a good night’s sleep for a month.” 

Before any reply could be made to this proposi- 
tion a party of soldiers espied the boys, and it was 
no longer possible for them to do as they wished. 

The old veteran who had volunteered to give 
them military instruction was among the number, 
and his first remark showed that the honor be- 
stowed upon them by the general had not been kept 
a secret from the men. 

“Well, my French bantams, after hobnobbin’ 
with Corney, a Colonial commission ain’t big enough 
for you, eh ? Goin’ to serve Louis XYI. instead of 
the Continental Congress, I hear. Have you forgot 
how to talk the American langwidge?” 

“What’s growin’ on you Josh cried. “Tryin’ 
to back out of your bargain T 


LIEUT im ANT HIGGINS. 


227 


“ What bargain did I make ?” 

“You said you’d give us pints on bein’ soldiers.” 

“ So I could ; but when it comes to lootenants, 
they’re too high up for me. Troopers is what you 
oughter been, but the general had to spile three 
good ones by givin’ ’em commissions.” 

At first Ned fancied the old fellow was jealous ; 
but after a few moments it became apparent that 
this was simply a specimen of the veteran’s humor. 

As if his having volunteered to teach them a 
soldier’s duties had given him a certain proprietor- 
ship in their honors, he took forcible possession of 
all three, ordering them here and there until they 
stood in the very center of the camp, where were 
congregated several hundred men. 

“ Here’s my lieutenants !” he shouted, “ an’ if you 
cheap military ornaments will hold your tongues, 
they shall out with the whole story of how they 
bamboozled Corney. Go at it, lads, an’ give us as 
much of a yarn as you spun to the general.” 

The boys knew from past experience that it 
would be useless to make any objections, and obeyed 
the veteran’s orders. 

It seemed as if the men would never be satisfied 
with hearing what had been done, and even after 
the story was told with every unimportant detail, 
they continued to ask questions until a late hour in 
the evening, when the arrival of a strange horseman 
gave the curious ones fresh opportunity for 
speculation. 

“Come away, boys,” Ben said when the greater 


228 


WITU LAFAYETTE AT YOUKTOWN, 


portion of their audience hastened off to learn who 
the stranger was. “ Now’s our chance, if we ever 
count on getting some sleep.” 

His comrades were more than willing to accom- 
pany him, and soon the three were in Colonel 
Stewart’s tent, discussing with the old darky the 
possibility of sleeping there without inconveniencing 
the rightful occupant. 

“ I’se done figger it all out, lieuten’t,’’ he said 
gravely, and Josh asked sharply : 

“ What do you mean by that ? Who told you I 
was a lieutenant ?” 

“ Marse Stewart done gone said you’se gwine ter 
be orficers jes’ as soon as de general could see yo’.” 

“ It seems that everybody knew it before we did,” 
Josh said with a grimace: 

“ Which simply proves that it must be true, and we 
had no reason to doubt it. When the general gave 
you that title. I suspected a commission went with 
it ; but never for a moment dreamed Ben and I 
would be included. Whether I’m a lieutenant, a 
spy, or no more of a soldier than I was when we 
left home, I’m precious tired, and shall be glad 
when our beds are ready.” 

“ Am you gwine ter hab jes’ a bite to eat, sah ?” 

“ I reckon we can get along without any more 
food until morning. I ate so much dinner that it 
seems as if I never could be hungry again.” 

The old darky spread out a few bundles of straw, 
thus making a bed sufficiently wide for all three, 
and in less than five minutes from the time they 
laid down, the young officers were sleeping soundly. 


LIEUTENANT EIQQlNB. 


m 


Two hours later they were awakened by a con- 
versation at the entrance of the tent. 

Some one had asked the old servant a question, 
and Ben heard only the reply : 

“ Dg lieuten’ts am hyar, sah ; but de lieuten’ts 
hab done gone to bed, sah.” 

“ Say to Lieutenant Jaffrej^s that Lieutenant 
Jaffreys would like to see him.” 

“ It’s father !” Ben cried joyfully as he sprang to 
his feet and ran out. 

Josh and Ned heard the greetings between father 
and son, and then the visitor was ushered into the 
tent. 

“ You boys have been making rapid strides in the 
army since you left Dobbs Ferry,” Ben’s father 
said cheerily as he gave each a hearty handshake. 
“I’m not certain but that all outrank me, since 
your commissions are from the French king, and I 
am only an officer in a rebel army. You couldn’t 
wait until Colonel Scammell kept his promise ?” 

“We hadn’t the time,” Josh replied. “ General 
Lafayette wanted us to do a little job, an’ when it 
was finished all three of us had blossomed out as 
lieutenants.” 

“ Yes, I heard the particulars of that ‘ little job,’ 
and am proud my son should have been one of the 
messengers.” 

“We ain't cuttin’ any very great figger at bein’ 
officers yet, sir,” Josh continued. “I wonder if 
lieutenants ever ride mules ?” 

“ That can be settled to-morrow morning, when I 


230 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT YORKTOWN. 


understand you will appear in all the magnificence 
to which your rank entitles you.” 

“ What do you mean by that Ben asked in per- 
plexity. 

“ I should have held my tongue, for it is to be 
kept a secret until to-morrow. I am exceedingly 
fortunate in having arrived just as I did, how- 
ever.” 

This remark served to remind the boys that as 
yet they did not know the reason for Lieutenant 
Jaffreys’ appearance, so unexpected, and JSTed 
asked : 

“Is it possible the Continental army has arrived, 
sir ?” 

“ It is on the way, but can hardly be very near. 
I came in advance with despatches for General 
Lafayette, riding sixty miles or more each day, by 
changing horses often.” 

“ When did the array start ?” 

“ It left Dobbs Ferry on the 18th of August, and 
crossed the Hudson Kiver the following night. 
More than that I cannot tell you, for I began my 
journey before all the force had gotten over.” 

“ And are they to come here ?” 

“ I think not. Unless I am mistaken this wing 
of the army will change its quarters very soon.” 

“ Where will it go ?” Ben asked. 

“ You must learn, my boy, that a good soldier is 
never inquisitive. It is sufficient for him to wait 
patiently until orders are given, and then do his 
best to execute them.” 


LIEUTENANT EIGOINS. 


231 


“ I’m willing enough to wait,” Ben said laugh- 
ingly. “ All of us want a little rest, for we have 
been kept moving pretty lively since we saw you 
last. Did you know we captured a spy ?” 

“ Colonel Stewart told me. If that man had 
succeeded in carrying his information to General 
Cornwallis, it would probably have cost us a great 
deal of blood at a time when we have not over much 
to spare.” 

Again Ben insisted on giving to Josh all the 
credit, and this time Lieutenant Higgins lost his 
patience entirel 3 ^ 

“ I won’t have you sayin’ sich things, Ben ! I 
mean this for Ned as well. I’m tired bearin’ that 
yarn when it ain’t true, an’ now it must stop.” 

It was evident Josh meant exactly what he said, 
and from that moment his comrades ceased to annoy 
him with too much praise. 

If Ben’s father had waited until the boys finished 
asking questions, he might have remained all night, 
for they were eager to hear everything he was 
willing to tell. He soon put an end to the visit by 
leaving the tent in search of his own quarters, and 
once more the 3^oung officers were at liberty to 
enjoy the repose which had been so well earned. 

When Josh awakened on the following morning 
he found lying beside him a uniform, complete even 
to the sword, and while gazing at it in bewilder- 
ment, observed that his comrades had been equally 
fortunate. 

“ Look here, fellers !” he cried excitedly. ‘‘ What 


232 WITH LA TA TETTE A T 70RKT0 WN. 


do you think of this ? Who do you s’pose give us 
these, an’ where do you s’pose they came from?” 

It was some time before either Ben or Ned could 
so much as speculate upon the matter, so bewildered 
by the finery were they, and no satisfactory con- 
clusion had been arrived at when Colonel Stewart 
awakened. 

“Now I fancy you will believe that you are 
really soldiers, eh ?” 

“Did the general give us these things?” Josh 
asked. 

“ They were procured through his influence. 
Several of the oflicers had a hand in the matter. 
It was not such an easy task to get three complete 
uniforms here, but by levying contributions from 
those so fortunate as to have duplicate garments, 
we contrived to fit you out decently well. Put the 
clothes on ; I am curious to learn how nearly they 
will fit.” 

Not many minutes were required for Josh to don 
such garments as he had never before fancied it 
would be possible for him to wear, and, in his eyes 
at least, there were no imperfections in them. 

The colonel, however, noted several points about 
the uniform which might have been improved upon 
by a tailor, but on the whole the appearance of the 
boys was very creditable. 

“It’s come at last!” Josh said as he strode 
triumphantly to and fro in the tent, with his sword 
dangling by his side. 

“What do you mean ?” Colonel Stewart asked in 
surprise. 


LIEUTENANT HIGGINS. 


233 


“ Why, I’m a soldier. I’ve figgered on bein’ one 
ever since I could remember, but I never thought 
I’d have a sword ” , 

Josh ceased speaking very suddenly, for at that 
instant the glittering weapon, catching between his 
legs, threw him headlong. 

“ It’s lucky I wasn’t outside where that old sol- 
dier could see me,” he cried, rising to his feet as he 
rubbed tenderly the end of his nose which was the 
first portion of his body to strike the ground. 
‘‘ Even if I am a lieutenant, I ain’t much of a sol- 
dier if I can’t walk.” 

“ That, my boy, is something I hope you will keep 
ever in mind. It was possible for the general to 
give you a commission, but he could not make of 
you a soldier. You must learn the lesson, and it 
will be very much more difficult than if you had 
risen from the ranks. You are to go on duty this 
forenoon, and I’m afraid will make a sad mess 
of it.” 

“ There’s an old soldier in camp who promised to 
give me points if I ever got a chance to enlist.” 

‘‘ Then send for him at once. He may be rough 
in his teaching, but a few harsh words will do you 
more good than harm.” 

“ I don’t know his name, but it wouldn’t be hard 
work to find him.” 

“ Take off your sword, and begin the search ; 
you will have plenty of time before breakfast is 
ready.” 

Josh obeyed, and was so fortunate in his quest 


234 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT TORKTOWN, 


that he returned ten minutes later, followed by the 
old veteran who had regretted that three good 
troopers were spoiled when the young messengers 
were given commissions. 

“I thought it was you, Jepson, who promised to 
put the boys through their paces, and I hope you 
will make a good job of it,” Colonel Stewart said 
as the soldier entered. “ I will see that you are re- 
lieved of all other duty while we are in camp, and 
no time is to be lost. Have you had breakfast 

“ Ho, sir.” 

“ You will eat with the boys ; I shall take mine 
at headquarters.” 

“ Is it ’cordin’ to tactics, sir, that a private can 
give orders to a bloomin’ lootenantf’ 

“ In this case, Jepson, there are three who must 
dance to your piping until they know something of 
a soldier’s duties,” the colonel replied laughingly as 
he left the tent. 

“You heard that, did you?” the veteran asked 
eagerly when he was alone with his pupils. 

“ Yes.” 

“Well then, act accordin’ly. I’m here to put you 
through your paces ; it’s the first time I’ve ever had 
a right good chance at a commissioned officer, an’ 
I’m goin’ to make the most of it. Lootenant Hig- 
gins I” 

“ Ay, ay, sir.” 

“Stow all that, you bloomin’ greeny. When I 
sings out, you’re to look on me as a superior or- 
ficer, an’ touch your cap like this,” and Jepson gave 


LIEUTENANT HIGGINS. 


285 


the military salute. “ Don’t bring your finger up 
like you wanted to knock yer head off, but do it 
gracefully, same’s I did,” he added when Josh at- 
tempted, with very poor success, to imitate the 
movement. “ Go on, all hands, an’ I’ll sit here a 
smokin’ of my pipe while you lootenants keep on a 
salutin’ of me.” 


236 


WITH LAFA YETTF AT YOBKTOWH 


CHAPTER XYIL 

WILLIAMSBURG-. 

Jepson enjoyed himself thoroughly during the 
two hours devoted to the first lesson in military eti- 
quette, but it is safe to say the boys did not have a 
particularly jolly time. 

All three realized how important it was they 
should learn as much as was possible before report- 
ing for duty, and no teacher ever had more studious 
pupils. 

Jepson insisted on representing, first General 
Lafayette, and then some officer lower in rank 
exacting the most scrupulous deference to his as- 
sumed position, and obliging the boys to advance, 
take leave, or salute, until, as Josh said, “ it was 
harder work tryin’ to be a lieutentant than a whole 
company of soldiers.” 

An appetizing breakfast was prepared, and Ben’s 
father, one of the guests who had arrived shortly 
before the meal was served, seemed to find as 
much enjoyment in the lesson as did Jepson. 

« Pm gettin’ more outer these ’ere lootenants 
than I ever shall ag’in,” the old soldier said in an 
aside to Ben’s father, “ an’ I’m bound to make the 


WILLIAMSBURG, 




most of it. This day week they’ll be bossin’ me 
’round in great style.” 

“ 1 fancy they won’t forget how to salute, at all 
events,” was the laughing reply. 

“I don’t intend they shall, an’ after dress parade 
I’m countin’ on puttin’ ’em through the manual of 
arms ; they’ll earn their swords this day. I’ll venter 
to say.” 

“ They can stand a good bit of work, so don’t 
spare then.” 

“ I don’t intend to,” the old soldier replied grimly 
as he sent Josh outside, ‘‘ to see if he could come 
in without tumblin’ all over hisself an’ his sword.” 

Never a word of complaint did the young officers 
utter, however sarcastic Jepson was in his criti- 
cisms, until Colonel Stewart returned and asked 
how they were getting along. 

“ I can’t say rightly, sir,” Josh replied as he 
wiped the perspiration from his lace. “It seems 
like as if the boss here had some kind of a grudge 
ag’in lieutenants, an’ was workin’ it out on us.” 

“You need disciplinin’, you bloomin’ bungler, 
that’s what you need,” Jepson cried. 

“ Well, I’m gettin’ it, ain’t I ? ’Cordin’ to my 
wa}^ of thinkin’ there won’t be anythin’ of that kind 
lackin’ when you get through.” 

Until the hour when they were to report for 
duty, the boys were not allowed a moment’s respite, 
and then Jepson went to his quarters, after assur- 
ing Ben’s father that he would continue the task as 
soon as “ parade was over.” 


^38 


mTE LAFAYETTE AT TORKTOWN. 


Thanks to their teacher, the boys made quite a 
soldierly appearance, in view of the fact that they 
were exceedingly green in the business, when they 
presented themselves before the commander of the 
forces. 

General Lafayette received them with a kindly 
smile ; but had no time for any particular atten- 
tions. The parade was hastened as much as possi- 
ble, and at its close an announcement made that the 
army would break camp on the following morning. 

Every one understood a demonstration would be 
made against General Cornwallis’ forces as soon as 
the main army arrived, and all knew by this move- 
ment that they were to take up a position for the 
struggle. 

Therefore it was that both officers and men were 
in the highest spirits. They had dodged the English 
army so long, it was a positive relief to know a 
decisive battle would be fought, even though, at 
that time, it seemed as if the odds were against 
them. 

“Do you know where we are going, father?” 
Ben asked as they were returning to Colonel Stew- 
art’s quarters to meet Jepson again. 

“ In the vicinity of Wdliamsburg. It is there the 
armies are to be united, and then I fancy the word 
will be, ‘ On to Yorktown !’ ” 

“ Suppose the British should prove too much for 
us ?” 

“We mustn’t suppose anything of the kind. 
Every man should feel certain we will conquer.” 


WILLIAMSBURG. 


239 


“ But in case we don’t ?” Ben persisted. 

“ Then the fate of the colonies is decided. A posi- 
tive defeat at Yorktovvn, and the American forces 
will be virtually wiped out, therefore every man 
must do more than his duty when the final struggle 
comes.” 

‘‘ What will be the result if we are victorious ?” 

“ The English will be driven from the south, and 
the long fight for liberty very near a successful 
close.” 

Jepson was so excited by the prospect of a 
decisive battle that he might not have continued his 
instructions but for Colonel Stewart’s positive 
orders. 

“It is more necessary than you believed this 
morning that the boys get a smattering of their 
new profession,” he said when the old soldier 
proposed that the lesson be postponed. “You can 
make your preparations for the march in half an 
hour, and there is no reason why they should not 
be put through the manual of arms.” 

That day’s work was as hard as any Josh re- 
membered of having done. Hoeing corn in July 
was as child’s play compared with it, and before 
their instructor would allow them a “ breathing- 
spell,” it seemed impossible to do so much as hold 
the muskets. 

When they were dismissed for an hour, that they 
might get dinner, the young lieutenants went to 
pay the first visit to their horses since the return 
from Yorktown, 


240 WITH LAY A TETTE A T YOBKTO WN. 


The animals had been well cared for by some of 
the officers’ servants, and Josh was so much pleased 
with the appearance of the mule that he no longer 
had any desire to exchange her for a horse. 

“ If she ain’t afraid of my sword, I reckon she’ll 
do first rate for a green lieutenant,” he said after 
examining the animal as critically as if he had never 
seen her before. It’s a pity her ears are quite so 
long, an’ I wish she had more of a tail, but ridin’ 
her will beat walkin’ all hollow.” 

“ I reckon Sim would be only too glad to be on 
her back this minute,” IS’ed said, and thus reminded 
of the tory, added : ‘‘ Has any one heard from him 
to-day ?” 

“ I’ve been so busy I’d almost forgotten he was 
in camp,” Josh replied. “ I heard Lieutenant Jaf- 
freys talkin’ about him with Ben.” 

“ Father said he wouldn’t be tried until the main 
army arrived.” 

Then he’ll go to Williamsburg with us.” 

“ I reckon he will, unless somebody gets careless 
an’ he has a chance to escape. I believe it was our 
business to keep watch over him.” 

“ Josh thinks no one but he can attend to such 
work,” Ben said with a smile. “ I suppose he’ll be 
hung, an’ can’t help wishing we hadn’t been the 
ones to capture him.” 

“How don’t get soft-hearted,” and Hed took his 
friend’s arm. “ This is war, and we shall see better 
men than he ever dared to be, killed by the 
hundreds.” 


WILLIAMSBURG, 


241 


“A death in action is nothing compared Avith 
hanging.” 

“ Don’t think of it any more,” Josh said as he 
turned to leave the stabling-ground. “ We’ve got 
all on our minds we can take care of.” 

The entire afternoon was spent with Jepson, and 
when the boys laid down to sleep they were really 
in need of rest. 

hfext morning the young officers were aroused 
before daybreak, and the sun was just rising when 
they rode, out of camp in company with members 
of the general’s staff. 

During the eight days’ march they had ample 
time and opportunity to become acquainted with 
the more simple duties which would be required of 
them. 

If a messenger was to be sent to the rear, one of 
the boys found himself called upon for the work, 
and while the troops were in motion they Avere 
seldom at liberty to ride together in idleness. 

They messed Avith the men of Colonel Stewart’s 
regiment, and however tired they felt when the 
troops halted for the night, there Avas no shirking 
the labor required of them by Jepson. 

“This march is jest Avhatyou bloomin’ lootenants 
needed to break you in,” the old soldier said on one 
occasion Avhen Ben insisted it Avas impossible for 
him to pay attention to the lesson, owing to his ex- 
treme Aveariness. “ Gettin’ tired is somethin’ that’s 
never allowed a soldier, an’ you’re bound to set an 
example to the men. If you orficers give in, how 


242 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT TORKTOWN. 


are the privates to keep up to their work? What 
you want jest now is a forced rearch of about fifteen 
miles, wound up with an engagement what would 
keep you busy the rest of the day, with say a flesh- 
wound or two, to show what soft times we soldiers 
have.” 

Ben never allowed himself to complain from that 
moment. 

Josh had accepted in silence the laborious duties 
required of him, as a form of payment for his com- 
mission, and no one ever heard him acknowledge he 
was tired. 

Then came the reward, in the shape of a long 
rest at Williamsburg. 

The boys were provided with a tent, and since 
their finances were not in such a condition as 
admitted of the luxury of a servant. Josh acted the 
part of cook. 

From this day, the 7th of September, until noon 
of the 14th, the boys passed the time in a monot- 
onous fashion. 

17o camp duties were required of them, save to be 
present at dress-parade, and the remaining hours of 
wakefulness were spent in acquiring knowledge of 
their new profession, with Ben’s father. Colonel 
Stewart, or old Jepson acting as instructor. 

Then came the stirring information that General 
Washington and the Count de Kochambeau were 
within a few miles of the camp, they having left the 
troops at Elk Eiver, that the commander-in-chief 
might spend a short time at Mount Yernon. It had 


WILLlAMSBUm. 


243 


been six years since the leader of the American 
forces visited his home, and even on this occasion he 
only allowed himself to remain three days. 

Instantly the cheering news had been brought, 
the entire camp was in commotion ; all the troops 
were ordered out to receive the chief, and when 
General Washington appeared, a salute of twenty- 
one guns was fired. 

The three “green” lieutenants had the best 
possible opportunity of seeing the man who was 
sacrificing so much for his country, and from whom 
so much was yet expected. They were in attend- 
ance upon General Lafayette, and consequently rode 
forward with him to meet the one man above all 
others whom they desired to see. 

As a matter of course, the youngsters were of but 
li ttle importance during the ceremony, but they 
succeeded in saluting the general in a manner which 
won for them the praise of Jepson. 

“ I couldn’t have done it better myself,” he said 
when, after the troops were dismissed, he lounged 
into his pupils’ tent to smoke his pipe, and “ put ’em 
through a few of their paces.” “ I have great hopes 
you’ll ’mount to somethin’ yet, pervidin’ I’m left 
alive to keep you in place.” 

“ Do you suppose there will be a battle soon ?” 
Josh asked eagerly, believing now General Wash- 
ington had arrived the fighting would begin imme- 
diately. 

“I’m thinkin’ we’ll have quite a spell of loafin’ 
first. Too much, perhaps, seein’s how the boys are 


244 


WITH LA FA YETTE A T TORKTOWN. 


spilin’ for a good fair whack at Corney. You see 
the army ain’t here yet, and when it does come 
we shall most likely spend considerable time gettin’ 
into position.” 

“But we’re only twelve miles away.” 

“It’ll be a closer berth than that afore you have 
a chance to show what can be done in the way of 
fightin’. There’ll be a big time at headquarters to- 
night, so I’m told.” 

“ What’s goin’ on ?” Josh asked with mild curi- 
osity. 

“ One of your Frenchmen, the Markiss St. Simon, 
is goin’ to give a big spread to General Washington. 
It’s a pity you lootenants ain’t a bit higher in rank ; 
you might get an invite.” 

“ I reckon we can worry along with my kind of 
cookin’, ’specially since you wouldn’t have time to 
tell us how to act.” 

“ I s’pose you think an old duffer like me can’t 
carry sail at sich a spread ? But that’s where you’re 
mistaken. I’ve been in more’n one of ’em, an’ 
with General Washington not fnr away.” 

“ Tell us about it V' and now Ned began to display 
curiosity. 

“ I reckon it’ll keep till after we’ve had our scur- 
sion to Yorktown. Jest now you’ve got time for a 
little practice ; I’m countin’ on givin’ you a bit of 
sword-play to liven things up.” 

The old man could not have proposed anything 
which would have been more acceptable to the boys. 
They were thoroughly tired of the manual of arms 


WILLIAMSBURG. 


245 


as laid down for the musket, but this was a portion 
of their training all had been eager to begin. 

At supper-time only a cold lunch was eaten, so in- 
terested we’re both instructor and pupils, and at 
eight o’clock in the evening all were intent upon the 
work, when the flap of the tent was pulled aside, 
displaying the gorgeous uniform of an aide-de-camp 
on General Lafayette’s staff. 

Prompted by Jepson, the boys returned his salute 
in true military fashion, and were then surprised 
almost to the verge of bewilderment by the message 
he delivered. 

“ Major-General, the Marquis de la Fayette 
presents his compliments, and desires that you 
young gentlemen will wait upon him at the tent of 
Major-General, the Marquis de St, Simon.” 

The boys were so confused by this ceremonious 
command that had it not been for Jepson all three 
would have neglected to return the aide’s parting 
salute, and when the flap of the tent once more hid 
from view the gorgeous apparel of the general’s 
messenger. Josh exclaimed : 

“ Slingin’ markisses ’round in this style is gettin’ 
a little too fine Tor me ; I’ll have to jine the 
American part of the army so I can understand 
what’s goin’ on.” 

‘‘Are ye so dumb ye don’t know the meanin’ of 
all that, you bloomin’ id jut ?” Jepson roared. 

“Well, it ain’t hard to guess that General Lafay- 
ette’s got some job. on hand he wants done, an’ so 
sends for three fellers from New Hampshire, instead 


246 WITH LAFA TBTTB A T YOUKTO WN. 

of lettin’ it be bungled by the old soldiers what are 
layin’ ’round camp thinkin’ they know everythin’.” 

Jepson raised a sword to strike his saucy pupil, 
but Lieutenant Higgins had taken good care to be 
out of harm’s way before making the remark. 

“ It’s the greatest honor you duffers could have,” 
the veteran cried excitedly. ‘‘ Where’s General 
Washington this very minute ? In the Markiss St. 
Simon’s tent, of course. An’ why are ye bid to 
come there ? So you’ll be presented to the greatest 
man this country ever had or ever will have, of 
course. VYhat a pity all this is kept for boys who 
can’t tell the difference between thrust and parry, 
instead of bein’ given to them what are of some 
benefit to the army.” 

“Meanin’ you?” Josh added laughingly, and 
then he asked gravely. “ Do you really believe we 
are to see General Washington ?” 

“ There can’t be any mistake ’bout it, an’ you’d 
better get inter 3^our uniforms as quick as you know 
how. Of course you oughter have a better rig for 
a dinner-party, but seein’ you ain’t been in the 
service long enough to walk without tumblin’ over 
your own sword, I reckon they’ll*make allowances.” 

Although the old soldier never lost an oppor- 
tunity to make sport, when they were alone, of his 
“ raw recruits” as he often called the vouns: lieu- 
tenants, he was ever ready to defend them against 
others, as was instanced when he quarreled with 
one of his comrades who dared to speak slightingly 
of them in his presence. 


WlLLIAMBBum. 


247 

He was secretly pleased that his proteges were to 
be thus honored, and watched with jealous eye their 
hurried preparations to obey the summons. 

Three times did he force Josh to comb his hair, 
because it was not arranged exactl}’ as he thought 
it should be, and after they announced that their 
toilets were complete, so far as it was in their power 
to make them so, he gravely inspected each in turn. 

“ I reckon you’ll do,” he said hesitatingly. “ I’d 
liked it if you had better sashes, an’ finer swords, 
but it’ll have to go as it is, I s’pose.” 

‘‘What are we to do when we get there?” Josh 
asked anxiously. 

“ You’ve simply been ordered to report, that’s all, 
an’ how many times must I tell how that’s to be 
done ?” 

“ I thought perhaps it would be necessary to go 
through with some different maneuvers because the 
commander-in-chief is there.” 

“ You’re on duty when you go, an’ all that’s called 
for is to report in proper manner. Did you think 
General Washington was goin’ to stand outside the 
tent waitin’ till you come up, so’s he could thank 
you for bringin’ in a scurvy spy what ain’t worth 
rope enough to hang him ?” 

“We didn’t think that, but I had an idea all 
hands of ’em might ask why you didn’t come too, 
an’ I wanted to know what we should say.” 

As his only revenge for this remark Jepson ex- 
acted from his pupils a salute due a superior officer, 
and the boys made their way through the camp. 


248 


WITH LA FA TETTE AT YORKTOWN. 


feeling woefully nervous regarding the coming 
ordeal, but happy beyond the power of words to ex- 
press at the prospect of being spoken to by General 
Washington. 

When the young lieutenants finally stood before 
the gay company which filled General St. Simon’s 
tent, no one could have found a fault with their 
manner. It was hard to realize that in only ten 
days they were able to act so well the part of 
soldiers. 

“ These are the officers of whom I am very proud, 
my dear general,” Lafayette said as the boys stood 
before him. “ At present they are in the service of 
Louis Xyi., but I hope soon to see them servants of 
the Continental Congress, with that portion of the 
army to which they belong by right of inclination.” 

“ 1 am gratified at hearing such flattering reports 
of you, young gentlemen,” Washington said with a 
gracious bow. “ The marquis thinks it remarkable 
you should be such staunch patriots although so 
young, but I, knowing your countrymen so well, am 
not surprised. You are entitled to the reward 
promised by Colonel Scammell for acting as our 
messengers, and if you wish to claim it, present 
yourselves to him upon his arrival.” 

“ They have proven their metal, and I would not 
wish to have them leave me, but that I know they 
will consider it a step higher in rank to receive an 
American commission,” Lafayette said with a smile, 
and General Washington added : 

“ You have my sincere thanks, young gentlemen, 


WILLIAM8BURG. 


249 


for your very valuable services ; but have a care 
lest your heads be turned by too much praise. Do 
not be satisfied with looking back upon what you 
have done.; strive constantly to advance, and be- 
lieve me, the day will surel}^^ come when you are 
spoken of as having been among those who freed 
their country from burdensome chains.” 

A parting salute from General Lafayette, and 
the boys understood that the moment had come for 
departure. 

Raising their hands as precisely as if Jepson was 
setting the example, the young lieutenants marched 
out of the tent with a deep sense of the honor 
bestowed upon them. 

“ How ’bout that ?” Josh said, suddenly wheeling 
around when they were so far from the tent that 
his words could not be overheard. “ How does that 
strike you, when a month ago I was loafin’ ’round 
Manchester tryin’ mighty hard for a chance to earn 
enough to keep me in grub ? Wow it seems I’m 
good enough to be thanked by General Washington 
himself ! There ain’t very many old soldiers who 
can say that much !” 

“ It strikes me your head is being turned by too 
much flattery, as the general suggested,” Red re- 
plied with a laugh. ‘‘ I wouldn’t be surprised if you 
refused to ride the mule after this.” 

“ I don’t reckon there’s much danger of that ever 
happenin’, considerin’ I’d have to walk if it wasn’t 
for her. So we’re goin’ into the light infantry 
under Colonel Scammell? There was a time when 


250 WITH LAFA 7ETTE A T TORKTO WN. 

1 counted some on havin’ a chance to enlist in that 
service ; but I never dreamed of bein’ an oflBcer 
where there are so many brave men.” 

“ It’s a mighty big honor for all hands of us,” 
Ned replied thoughtfully, and at that instant the 
young lieutenants were interrupted in their mutual 
congratulations by Jepson. 

“ Prouder’ n turkey cocks, ain’t yer?” he asked 
ironically. ‘‘ Don’t reckon ary one cares ’bout 
talkin’ to a private after this, eh ? I’ve been 
keepin’ my eye on my raw recruits, an’ co'uld see 
how swelled up they was, cornin’ out like graven 
images ’cause the big bugs took a notion to see 
what they looked like.” 

“That’s where you’re makin’ a mistake,” Josh 
retorted. “ We was sent to find you. Washington 
says he can’t eat another mouthful till you come in 
an’ give ’em a few pints on soldierin’.” 

“ I don’t say I couldn’t do it,” the old soldier 
replied with a hearty laugh, “but I’m all wore up 
tryin’ to make somethin’ out of three commissioned 
idjuts, an' ain’t really got the time. Say, what 
happened over there, any way ?” 

Ned understood that the old man had been wait- 
ing for them in order to learn what the commander- 
in-chief had said, and he gave a detailed report of 
all that occurred while they were in the tent. 

“ He’s a great soldier ! A great soldier, an’ is 
allers the same, no matter how tough . we’re gettin’ 
it. I’ve seen him at Yalley Forge ; them was the 
days when a man showed what he had in him. 


WILLIAMSBURG. 


251 


The only wonder to me is that he could waste his 
time on sich bloomin’ idjuts as you three be. I^ow 
come along an’ let me see how you walked inter the 
tent ; I’ll be the general for half an hour or so, till 
my pipe’s smoked out, an’ you won’t get so much 
honey from me as he spread over you.” 


252 


WITH LAFA YETTE A 1 TORKTO WN. 


CHAPTEK XYIII. 

THE SPY. 

After the arrival of General Washington it 
seemed to the boys as if each hour brought some 
exciting incident, all bearing upon the coming 
struggle which would probably decide the fate of 
the country. 

The most important of these was the landing of 
five thousand French troops from Admiral de 
Grasse’s fleet, and Jepson said in a tone of satisfac- 
tion when the number was made known: 

“ It begins to look like we’d got Corney in a trap, 
great soldier though he is, an’ there’s no mistake 
but that he’s as good a commander as the Britishers 
can find.” 

“ It seems to me enough Frenchman have landed 
to overpower the force at Yorktown without any 
help,” Josh said in repl}^ to the remark, although it 
was not addressed particularly to him. 

“ The allied army isn’t any too strong for the 
work before ’em. The Britishers can fight under 
cover, an’ all the shelter we’ll have is sich as can be 
thrown up ’twixt now an’ . the beginnin’ of the 
siege.” 


THE SPY. 


253 


“Do you believe we shall get the best of the 
fight 

“ Of course I do. Show me the man in this camp 
what makes different kind of talk, an’ I’ll flog him, 
even if he’s twice ray size.” 

“The French fleet is a wonder,” Ned added. 
“I’m told that on twenty -four of the ships are nine- 
teen hundred guns, and surely they ought to be a 
good offset for the fortifications of the British.” 

“We’ve yet to see how much work they can do; 
but I don’t reckon we shall help things any by 
standin’ here figgerin’ on what’s cornin’ in the way 
of a fight. It’s time you lootenants was put through 
your paces once more, for Colonel Stewart’s orders 
are to keep you humrain’ till I turn you over to 
Colonel Scaramell.” 

The notes of preparation everywhere around 
spurred the boys on in their acquirement of military 
knowledge, for all were eager to be considered 
soldiers when the battle opened, and save at such 
times as they were sleeping, caring for their horses, 
or engaged in work around the tent, every hour was 
spent with old Jepson. 

On the 19th of September the veteran gave them 
their last lesson, for on the following day the main 
army arrived, and the young officers were presented 
to their commander. 

“It seems that you have not only made your- 
selves soldiers since I saw you last, but earned com- 
missions as well,” he said heartily, after they had 
repeated General Washington’s words. “ I am glad 


254 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT TORKTOWN. 


to have you with me. While on the march we got 
an inkling of what had been done by three boys 
from Portsmouth and I took no small portion of the 
credit to myself.” 

“ But for you, sir, we should never have had an 
opportunity to come here,” Ned replied. 

“ You can’t consider that a favor on my part, 
since for the benefit of our country I sent you into 
great danger, although it seems it was but trifling 
as compared with what you have since undertaken. 
Now what shall I do for you ? Are you capable of 
assuming command ?” 

“ I do not think so, sir,” and Ned spoke in a 
decided tone. “ We have done our best to learn 
what a soldier’s duties are, but I am certain we 
ought not to have a command given us.” 

“ That’s about the size of it,” Josh added. “ We’re 
willin’ to go in as privates, even if we have got 
commissions, but we mustn’t be kept out of the 
row,” ^ 

“ There is little danger of that, my boy,” and 
Colonel Scammell laughed heartily. “You shall 
see all the fighting you can possibly ask for ; men 
are needed now if ever, even though our allies are 
coming forward so bravely. For the present you 
shall serve on my staff as aides. Have you kept 
possession of the horses ?” 

“We haven’t lost anythin’ since we started,” 
Josh replied ; “ but my boss is a mule.” 

“ Providing it is a serviceable animal, you have no 
reason to be ashamed of the mount. See to it that 


THE SPY. 


255 


your tent is moved near mine, detail some man from 
the light infantry to do the work, and report to me 
in an hour.” 

“We have had as an instructor a veteran from 
Colonel Stewart’s regiment. Why wouldn’t it be a 
good idea to let him assist us in the work ?” 

“ Ask the colonel’s permission for the detail, and 
perhaps it would be well to keep him with you pi o- 
viding he is willing to make a change for the time 
being, and you have no objections to him as a tent- 
mate.” 

“ Indeed we haven’t,” Josh cried. “ He’s jest the 
one we want.” 

“ Then set about the work at once, and join me 
at headquarters in an hour.” 

The young officers had no difficulty in gaining 
permission for Jepson’s detachment from Colonel 
Stewart’s regiment, with the understanding that 
his wishes should first be consulted in the matter. 

“Want me in the light infantry, eh?” the old 
fellow asked with a raising of the ej^ebrows when 
the boys made known their wishes. “I allow I 
might give some of ’em a few pints.” 

“ But we don’t expect you’re goin’ to straighten 
out the whole force. We thought you might like to 
be with us.” 

“ So that’s the way you put it. Lieutenant 
Higgins? You’ve got an idee the old man ain’t 
told you all he knows yet, eh ?” 

“We thought you might be lonesome if you 
couldn’t boss officers ’round, an’ so cooked up this 
plan to keep you from bein’ homesick.” 


256 


WITH LA FA TETTF AT YORKTOWK. 


“ You’re gettin’ mighty thoughtful all of a sudden. 
Well, I’ll agree to the transfer, pervidin’ I’m put 
back with the Pennsylvanians when this scrimmage 
is over.” 

‘‘ Then we’d better change our quarters at once,” 
Ned suggested. “We are to report to Colonel 
Stewart very soon, and it won’t look well if we’re 
late.” 

“ What’er you countin’ on doin’ ?” Jepson asked 
fiercely. 

“ Moving the tent and horses, of course.” 

“ So that’s all you raw recruits have lamed from 
my schoolin’, is it?” and a stranger would have 
said the old man was almost beside himself with 
anger. “ You ain’t got the first roodiments of the 
service, if you allow that orficers are to do sich jobs 
when there’s a lot of bloomin’ privates ’round. 
You’re Colonel Scammell’s aides now an’ bound to 
do credit to my teachin’. Pide over to head- 
quarters like as if you was gentlemen, an’ the dirty 
work will all be done when you get back.” 

“But we don’t intend to let you do it alone, 
Jepson,” Ned said earnestly. 

“ Lootenant Allen,” and the veteran straightened 
himself up with a flourish, “ salute your sooperior 
orficer !” 

Ned did as he was commanded, trying hard not 
to laugh. 

“ Now do your duty,” and Jepson waved his hand 
in adieu ,with a gesture so comical that his pupils 
could not repress their mirth. 


THE SPY. 


257 


It was evident the old soldier did not intend the 
young lieutenants should perforin the duties of 
privates, and to avoid giving positive offense the 
boys were forced to leave him. 

Their labors on this day were comparatively 
light, they being sent with messages to different 
portions of the camp, or along the shore, and at an 
early hour in the evening all three were at the new 
quarters, where Jepson was entertaining a visitor. 

While his guest was with him the old veteran was 
scrupulously careful to show proper respect for the 
young officers, and was at times so exceedingly 
humble that it was only with difficulty they could 
repress their mirth, especially when they thought of 
how ^he would give his orders after they were 
alone. 

Jepson’s guest was one of the soldiers who had 
marched from Dobbs Ferry, and the boys heard 
from him the story of the journey. 

“We crossed the river at King’s Ferry at night, 
on the 19th of August,” he began, after having 
lighted his pipe, “ an’ went into camp at Kakeat, 
where we laid till the 25th.” 

“ Did the whole army stay there so long ?” Ked 
asked in surprise. 

“ I don’t answer for the rest ; all I can tell is 
what Colonel Scammell’s detachment did. A 
private don’t get to know much of what is goin’ on 
outside his own corps. On the night of the 26th we 
was at Paramus, an’ two days later reached Spring- 
field. The 29th we struck Brunswick, an’ made a 


258 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT YORKTOWN. 


day’s march to Princeton. Another twenty-four 
hours took us to Trenton. On the first of 
September we crossed the Delaware, an’ camped a 
dozen miles or so above Philadelphia. Next day 
we passed through the city, an’ on the third was 
three miles the other side of Chester, where seven 
men deserted from Captain Comstock’s company. 
The fourth of September we did twenty good miles, 
passin’ through Chester, Brandywine an’ Wilming- 
ton.” 

“ Did you capture the deserters ?” Ned asked. 

‘‘ There wasn’t time to make a try for it ; besides 
we was better off without soldiers like ’em. Next 
day we did twelve miles, an’ at night another 
renegade deserted. On the 6th we marched to Elk 
Kiver, where we laid three days. September 9th 
we had a three-mile tramp to the head of Chesa- 
peake Bay, an’ next day was packed into transports. 
Twenty-four hours afterward, we started; sailed 
’bout ten miles; anchored; got under way next 
mornin’, an’ dropped anchor at Annapolis. There 
we stopped four days, an’ on the fifth did only two 
miles. On the 17th of the month we anchored off 
the Potomac Kiver, an’ on the 19th made York 
Kiver. What looked like it was goin’ to be a tough 
job turned out nothin’ more’n ordinary hard work. 
The marchin’ was easier than packin’ ourselves into 
the transports. 

Jepson’s visitor did not remain very long after 
telling his story, and then, as usual, the young 
officers were ‘‘put through their paces.” 


THE SPY. 


259 


On the following morning the boys received a 
note from Colonel Scammell w^hich provoked no 
slight amount of criticism from the veteran. 

“ You will at once set out on the road leading to 
ISTew Kent Court House, and ride at a leisurely pace 
until nightfall, looking for stragglers. Halt at 
sunset, and in the morning return. You are to 
arrive here not earlier than six in the evening.” 

“Well,” Jepson said, when the note had been 
read aloud twice, in order that it might be 
thoroughly understood, “if it wasn’t Colonel 
Scammell what sent that, I’d say the writer better 
let hisself out for a fiddler, or some sich ornamental 
work. Stragglers ’twixt here an’ Hew Kent Court 
House ! You might as well look for fleas in a snow- 
ball ! There’s no sense hi that ’ere order, no 
matter who writ it !” 

“ What shall we do ?” Josh asked. 

“Do? Do, you bloomin’ raw recruit? What 
else is there to do but saddle an’ light out ? Soldiers 
don’t try to understand orders, ’less they’re alone 
same’s we are; but jump in an’ obey ’em \ikQ you\e 
bound to. I’ll see that you have grub enough, an’ 
it won’t be well to spend five minutes gettin’ the 
bosses ready. I don’t count on any orficers I’ve 
trained bein’ hauled over the coals on account of 
idlin’ ’round after the word to march has been 
given.” 

In a trifle more than the time set by Jepson the 
young officers were riding out of the camp. 


260 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT YORKTOWN. 


They had ceased to speculate upon the odd 
errand, and gave themselves up to the enjoyment of 
a ride in the clear, bracing air. 

As the veteran had predicted, they found no 
signs of stragglers, and on the following afternoon 
came into camp, first going to Colonel ScammelFs 
tent to report. 

There they found no one but the orderly, and by 
him were told to return to their own quarters. 

“ Got back, eh Jepson said when they arrived. 
“ Had a fine time, I reckon ?” 

“ Yes ; but we didn’t see any stragglers,” Josh 
replied as he dismounted and unsaddled the mule. 

‘‘ Of course not ; that wasn’t why you went.” 

“What do you know about it?” Hed asked 
quickly. 

“ Colonel Stewart told me the meanin’ of that 
order.” 

“ What was it?” 

“ Well, you see, that spy of your’n was tried 
yesterday, an’ hanged this mornin’. Seein’s how 
you raw recruits caught him, it was thought you 
might be too soft-hearted to see the job done.” 

The boys stood silent and motionless several 
seconds, gazing in amazement at Jepson. 

“Sim hanged?” Josh managed to say at length. 

“ That’s the size of it. After the main army was 
here it didn’t take long to convict him of bein’ a 
spy. Even without the evidence the soldiers gave, 
he’d been hung, ’cause his partner went back on him 
an’ told the whole story.” 


THE SPY. 


261 


“ What was done to Bart Ned asked. 

. “ Drummed out of camp after seein’ the last of 
Perkins. I don’t allow that chap will ever go into 
the spy business ag’in, for he was ’bout as scared a 
man as I ever seen.” 

Ben was more affected by the news than his com- 
panions, and during a few moments Josh fancied he 
was going to faint. 

“Look here, lootenant,” Jepson cried sternly, 
“ this ere’s never goin’ to do ! The spy only got 
what he deserved, an’ the same as would have been 
dealt out to you, if he’d knowed you was in York- 
town while he was there. You mustn’t be chicken- 
hearted, ’cause you’re goin’ to see a good deal worse 
than the hangin’ of a snake ’twixt now an’ another 
week.” 

Ben made a brave effort to control his feelings, 
but would not have succeeded without the aid of his 
companions, who did all in their power to divert 
his thoughts. 

From that moment, until many months had 
passed, the subject was never mentioned in his 
presence. 

When the bo^^s saw Colonel Scammell on the fol- 
lowing morning not a word was said regarding 
their journey ; but probably this was due to the 
fact that the order had finally been given for an 
advance, and every individual member of the army 
was in a state of the highest excitement. 

“ This means that we shall be set at work,” 
Colonel Scammell said after assigning the boys 


262 


WITH LAFA 7ETTE AT YORKTOWN. 


their duties for the day. “ At last we are to try 
conclusions with the king’s troops, and the game 
will soon be opened. Many of us will not live to 
know the result, but those who are alive when the 
last gun is tired, will, I trust most implicitly, see 
the king’s rule in this country virtually at an end.” 

“ May I inquire if there is any possibility of an 
immediate engagement ?” Ned asked after a short 
pause. 

‘‘Not until the town has been invested. It is 
hardly probable General Cornwallis will meet us 
outside his works, otherwise there would have been 
no such elaborate preparations for defense. You 
need not fear but that we shall have plenty of fight- 
ing, however,” he added with a smile, “ and I am 
pleased to know the men are eager for it. Have 
you seen the commander-in-chief s order ?” 

“ No, sir.” 

“ Get a copy of it from Major Hudson. It will 
be ready to-day at parade ; but you will not be 
there to hear it, since I have decided to send you 
down the road seven or eight miles, to learn if there 
are any indications of the enemy in that direction. 
Do not go further than I have said, and in event of 
a discovery return at your best pace.” 

Half an hour later, when the horses were saddled 
for the work of the day, Ned read aloud the order : 

“ If the enemy should be tempted to meet the 
army on its march, the general particularly enjoins 
the troops to place their principal reliance on the 


THE SPY. 


263 


bayonet, that they may prove the vanity of the 
boast which the British make of their peculiar 
prowess in deciding battles with that weapon. He 
trusts a generous emulation will actuate the allied 
armies ; that the French, whose national weapon is 
that of close fight, and the troops in general, that 
have so often used it with success, will distinguish 
themselves on every occasion that offers. The 
justice of the cause in which we are engaged, and 
the honor of the two nations, must inspire every 
breast with sentiments that are the presage of 
victory.” 

“ That sounds like business,” Jepson said in a tone 
of satisfaction when JSTed ceased reading. “ So 
we’re to go at ’em with bayonets, eh ? It ain’t a 
bad idee to give ’em a taste of their own medicine, 
an’ I allow we’ll show that us rebels can play that 
game as well as the British. Where’d you raw re- 
cruits be when it came to close quarters, if I hadn’t 
spent my valerable time givin’ you swordplay?” 

“We’d come out slim for a fact, an’ I ain’t so 
certain but that we shall anyway,” Josh replied 
grimly. “ It’s one thing to play with a sword, 
but quite another when it’s a case of life or death.” 

“ There won’t be so much chance for fine points, 
an’ I’ll back you, Lootenant Higgins, ag’in the best 
of the privates in the British army. Of course an 
officer could pink you without much trouble.” 

“ In that case my skill ag’in the privates wouldn’t 
’mount to a great deal,” Josh said with a laugh as 
he leaped into the saddle, and a few moments later 
the young officers were riding over the road which. 


264 


WITH LAFA TETTE AT YORKTOWN. 


on the morrow, would be traversed by the allied 
armies. 

“They’re brave lads, an’ merry ones,” Jepson 
said to himself as he looked after the boys until 
they were lost to view in the distance ; “ but if they 
knew how proud I am of ’em, never another salute 
could I get outer the crowd. There’ll be plenty of 
blood spilled before long, but I’ll hope none of it 
comes from them.” 

The young officers returned shortly after dress- 
parade, and reported that they had seen no signs of 
the enemy. 

During the remainder of the day they were 
actively employed as messengers, and before the 
sun had set learned that their duties were more 
arduous than if they were attached to some 
company. 

All three were completely tired when they 
reached their tent that evening, but, thanks to the 
appetizing supper which Jepson had prepared, were 
soon in a condition to take a last lesson in fencing 
before it might be necessary to employ their swords 
in destroying or saving life. 

At an early hour the array was in motion. 

The troops were in light marching order, that 
they might be ready for action at a moment’s 
notice, and the day’s work consisted only of a 
leisurely tramp of eleven miles over a good road, 
under a clear sky. 

Then they were halted, and for the first time the 
young officers saw a line of battle formed. 


THE SPY. 


265 


The troops were within a mile of the British 
works, forming a line which extended from the 
York River, through the fields to Warwick Creek. 
The French were on the left ; the Americans on the 
right, and, consequently, nearest the enemy. 

The following order was read to the expectant 
men : 

“ The whole army, officers and soldiers, will lay 
on their arms this night.” 

In the distance several reports of cannon were 
heard immediately after the order was read, and the 
hearts of three lieutenants beat loudly, for in their 
ignorance they fancied the battle had been opened. 

“You will ride to the left. Lieutenant Higgins, 
and ascertain the cause of that firing,” Colonel 
Scammell said quietly, and for a single instant Josh 
appeared to be suffering from fear. 

Before any one save bis companions had had time 
to note the expression on his face. Josh wheeled the 
mule sharply around, and rode at full speed toward, 
as he supposed, the entire British force. 

“ His sword-j3lay won’t do him much good among 
cannon,” 'Ben whispered nervousl}^ 

“We mustn’t think of such things,” Hed replied 
seriously. “I’m willing to admit that I’m about as 
scared as a fellow well can be ; but it’s only making 
matters worse to keep in mind the possibility of 
being shot.” 

“ How can you prevent it ?” 

“ I’m going to figure it out this way : After a 
battle, no matter how severe a one, there are always 


266 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT TORKTOWN, 


very many — the greater portion of each army — left 
alive. Now instead of fancying every shot is 
coming our way, say that we’re going to be among 
the living when it is all over, and then it won’t 
seem so dreadful.” 

“ You may be able to do that, but I can’t. The 
reports of those guns send cold shivers all ovw me.” 

‘‘ Josh is the one who should be trembling about 
this time,” Ned said with as firm a voice as was 
possible under the circumstances, “ for he must be 
in the midst of it all.” 

Ben was trembling with fear, but yet when 
Colonel Scammell, a few moments later, sent him 
across the field to the right, he rode as bravely, so 
far as outward appearances were concerned, as 
any officer in the line could have done. 

Ned and Ben were side by side when Josh 
returned. 

‘‘Some of the French troops are clearing the 
ground in front of them with two fieldpieces, sir,” 
Lieutenant Higgins reported to his colonel with a 
formal salute. 

“ Have the enemy appeared in that direction ?” 

“ A squad of Tarleton’s men were to be seen, but 
they are now retiring toward the town.” 

His report concluded. Josh rode up to his friends, 
and whispered, as he wiped the perspiration from 
his face : 

“ Did I look scared when I started down there ?” 

“Not a bit.” 

“ Well, I was, an’ for two or three minutes I’d 


THE SPY. 


267 


have given all my fine clothes to be back in Man- 
chester. If the beginnin’ is as bad as this, I’ll cut a 
mighty poor figger when the fight is well on.” 

“ Lootenant Higgins,” Jepson said in a loud voice, 
and with a profound salute as he came up from 
among the men, ‘‘ may I speak with you ?” 

Josh, surprised at the humble bearing of his 
instructor, leaned over to hear what he had to say. 

“ I had to treat you with respect while the men 
might see an’ hear me,” the old fellow whispered ; 
“ but you bloomin’ raw recruit, I don’t feel any of 
it. You’re a precious green orficer, you be, but, my 
boy, you made me feel proud of myself when you 
rode straight as an arrer inter what you thought 
was a fight !” 

Then, squeezing the boy’s hand until he nearly 
cried out because of the pain, Jepson stepped back 
among his comrades. 


268 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT YOItKTOWN, 


CHAPTEK XIX. 

THE SIEGE. 

There was but little sleep for the young officers 
during this first night in the field. 

Even had it been possible to make themselves 
comfortable, it is doubtful if slumber would have 
come to their eyelids because of the anxiety all felt. 
At last they were to take part in the affairs of war, 
and there was a horrible reality to it of which 
neither had ever so much as dreamed. 

Once Xed walked to that portion of the camp 
where Jepson was stationed, and found him sleeping 
peacefully on the hard ground, evidently not one 
whit disturbed regarding what the morrow might 
have in store for him. 

“Xearly all the soldiers are taking advantage of 
the opportunity in the same- fashion,’’ Xed said to 
his comrades. “ I don’t understand how they can 
be so calm when we may be attacked at any 
moment.” 

“Perhaps we shall get used to it,” Josh suggested. 
“ I did think I could sleep anywhere ; but my eyes 
are open as wide as if I’d jest crawled out of a 
comfortable bed. 

When the morning dawned the boys realized 
that if they had spent the time in the same manner 


THE SIEGE. 


269 


as did their companions, all three would have been 
in better condition for the day’s work. 

And the work began early. 

Since the enemy had not shown himself, the 
American wing of the army moved yet further to 
the right, and the town was regularly invested. 

Between the colonists and the French was a tract 
of marshes, with several streams running through 
them, and over the larger of these, bridges were 
thrown during the early morning, so that it was 
possible for the besiegers to communicate with each 
other readily. 

It was eight o’clock in the morning, and the 
young officers were breakfasting with Jepson, when 
an aide from Colonel Scammell came with an order 
for all four to report to their commander at once. 

The old soldier, guessing what service was to be 
demanded of them, appeared in high glee, and said, 
as they hurried toward where the colonel was 
standing : 

“I didn’t reckon I’d be on hand when you got 
the first smell of burnin' powder ; but it seems Fm 
in luck.” 

“What do you mean?” Ben asked nervously. 
“ It doesn’t look as if there was to be an engage- 
ment very soon.” 

“Fleither will there be, my bloomin’ lootenant ; 
but there’s allers lots of small jobs fust, to keep the 
privates from growin’ rusty, an’ I reckon this is one 
of ’em.” 

Before he could explain the meaning of his 
words they were by the colonel’s side. 


270 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT TORKTOWH, 


‘‘ Lieutenant Jaffreys,” the commander said with 
an air of formality such as the boys had never seen 
him wear. ‘‘ You and your brother officers will 
take a squad of skirmishers from the light infantry, 
and feel of the enemy in our front. You are not 
expected to advance nearer than their picket-line. 
Jepson will accompany you to give advice.” 

With this brief order the colonel turned away, 
and Josh stood staring at his companions in open- 
mouthed astonishment, for such an honor was not 
only entirely unexpected, but incomprehensible. 

“ Call out your men !” Jepson whispered eagerly. 
“ Can’t you see that we’re not the only party bound 
on the same business, an’ mustn’t let the others get 
the lead of us ?” 

“Tell me what to do. It seems as if I had for- 
gotten everything you Bver drilled into me.” 

The old soldier gave the necessary commands in 
a whisper, which were repeated by Josh, and so 
well was this done by the young officer and his 
“ adviser,” that the men who obeyed had no idea 
of the frequent prompting. 

There was ample opportunity for skirmishing on 
this morning, and an hour had not elapsed before 
the New Hampshire boys were in the “ thick of it.” 

Because of the men around them, neither of the 
young officers had a chance to wffiisper to the other 
that he felt horribly afraid, and Jepson was ever 
watchful lest they should display signs of 
timidity. 

The first shot which whistled over Ben’s head 



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“ Come on,” Josh shouted to the soldiers, waving the musket in one hand 
and his sword in the other.— Page 271. 



THE SIEGE, 


271 


caused him to stoop very suddenly, and the veteran 
whispered : 

“ Stand up to it, lad dear ! There’s jest as much 
show of gettin’ hit near the ground as high in the 
air. Kemember, every man is watchin’ you.” 

As a matter of course each soldier in the squad 
was intent only on what was before him, but the 
possibility of such a thing as being discovered a 
coward was sufficient to stiffen Ben’s back at once, 
and almost before he was aware of the fact he was 
moving to and fro with an air of unconcern. 

“The first of it is the worst,” he said to Ned ten 
minutes later, when the two met for an instant. 
“It’s queer, but I don’t seem to mind the bullets 
now ; perhaps they’re not coming so thickly.” 

“You’re doing well, Ben. The only trouble with 
you is, that you’re forever trying to prove yourself 
a coward.” 

A ringing cheer from the men interrupted this 
brief conversation, and on looking around to ascer- 
tain the cause, the boys saw Josh standing with a 
smoking musket in his hands, a fair target for the 
enemy. 

“ Come on !” Josh shouted to the soldiers, waving 
the musket in one hand and his sword in the other. 
“ Them fellers won’t give us any more trouble, an’ 
we can drive ’em all in !” 

A dozen or more of those nearest followed the 
boy, and the rattle of musketry soon told they were 
hotly engaged. 

“ What is he doing with that gun ?” Ned asked as 
Jepson came up. 


272 


WITH LAFA 7ETTE AT TORKTOWN. 


“ Didn’t you see the whole thing ?” the veteran 
cried excitedly. “ It was the finest bit of work we 
shall have for many a day ! Two Britishers were 
over in that brush, and shootin’ mighty nigh the 
mark every time. Three or four of the best shots 
on the line had had a go at ’em without stoppin’ 
their fire, when the lootenant seized a musket 
from the feller nearest, winged one Britisher, an’ 
before you would wink twice had grabbed an- 
other gun an’ wiped out the other. A couple of 
handsomer shots couldn’t be seen anywhere, an’ our 
raw recruit won’t want followers after this ! Talk 
*bout fightin’, it comes natural as breath to that 
lad !” 

Jepson was so excited it was with difficulty the 
young officers could persuade him to remain with 
them, and when Ben expressed his fears that Josh 
would recklessly expose himself, the old fellow 
roared ; 

“ I’d hate to see a promisin’ lad like him wiped 
out ; but it wouldn’t be so bad ’cause he’s done his 
share already ! It’s honor enough for a boy to 
wing a couple of men as he did !” 

The rattle of musketry died away, and a few 
moments later. Josh, begrimed with powder, his 
sword in its scabbard but the musket in his hands, 
came out of the thicket at the head of the men, 
looking every inch a soldier. 

“ It’s a shame our orders were not to go beyond 
the picket-line ! We could have driven ’em straight 
through the town !” 


THE SIEGE. 


273 


This ended the skirmishing for the day, and when 
the young lieutenants returned to camp, Josh was 
the hero of the hour among the men. 

The older soldiers had paid very little attention 
to the New Hampshire boys whose commissions 
were earned outside the battlefield ; but now they 
treated Josh with the greatest respect, and their 
admiration found vent in every possible way. 

The story was told over and over again by those 
who accompanied the boy on his mad charge, until 
it reached Colonel Scammell’s ears, and he read 
Jepson a severe lecture for allowing Josh to do 
anything so reckless. 

“ It would a’ been a heart of stone that could have 
stopped the lad, sir. He was havin’ the best time 
of his life, an’ how could I interfere with his 
amusement 

“ Teach him to amuse himself in a more guarded 
manner. Inexperienced as he is, it seems little less 
than murder to allow him to do such things in his 
first action.” 

“ I’ll give him a good dressin’ down, sir, but it 
goes mightily ag’in the grain to do it.” 

And this is the manner in which Jepson “dressed 
down ” the rash officer : 

“ You bloomin’ id jut, don’t you know how to 
take care of yourself in action? You mustn’t rage 
’round like a mad bull, but preserve your dignity 
before the men. But sa}^. Josh, lad, you’re the 
cleanest hand with a musket I ever set eyes on, an’ 
when I’m feelin’ down at the heel owin’ to troubles, 


274: WITH LAFAYETTE AT TORKTOWN, 


ril follow you on the skirmish-line to brighten me 
up a bit. I’m proud of you, lad, proud of havin’ 
made a soldier of you !” 

On the next morning the American forces were 
treated to a very pleasant surprise, by discovering 
that during the night the enemy had abandoned his 
outer lines, and retired to the inner defenses. 

This enabled the allied forces to take up much 
more advantageous positions than had originally 
been decided upon, and at the same time afford an 
opportunity for throwing up earthworks within easy 
shelling distance of the town. 

Colonel Scammell was officer of the day, and the 
young lieutenants were kept busy. 

“ You will reconnoiter the deserted works,” he 
said to Josh at an early hour during the forenoon. 
“ Summon your comrades, and follow me.” 

There appeared to be little danger attending such 
an excursion, and the boys viewed it in the light of 
a diversion. 

JSTo signs of the enemy in the immediate vicinity 
were seen, and the colonel said to his followers 
after the works had been hurriedly examined : 

‘‘ Remain here until I return, or our troops come 
up ; I intend to ride a short distance toward the 
town.” 

Dismounting, the boys took up such positions as 
enabled them to view the movements of their own 
troops, and remained interested spectators of the 
novel scene spread out before them, until the dis- 
charge of a single musket from the direction in 


THE SIEGE. 


275 


which Colonel Scammell had ridden caused Ben to 
start up in alarm. 

“ Do you suppose an attack has been made upon 
him 

“ It don’t sound much like it,” Josh replied after 
waiting a few seconds without hearing a repetition 
of the noise. “ I reckon it would take more than 
one man to make trouble for the colonel.” 

“ Then, unsuspicious of what had really occurred, 
the boys continued to watch the troops until nearly 
an hour had passed, when a soldier hurried into the 
works just as a body of light infantry were taking 
possession. 

“ Colonel Scammell has been made prisoner !” he 
shouted. 

“ Where ?” and Josh ran toward his mule. 

It is too late now ; he has been carried to the 
town. The murderers shot him after he had sur- 
rendered his sword !” 

“ What was you doin’ all the time ?” Josh asked 
angrily. 

“ I was on the picket post too far away for any 
assistance.” 

“ Why didn’t you try to do something ? If you 
were near enough to see, you surely might have 
gone up before they could get him into town.” 

“ Twenty men couldn’t have prevented the 
capture. A squad of troopers from Tarleton’s 
Legion dashed down upon him.” 

‘‘Was he killed ?” 

“ No, although it appeared as if he was badly 
wounded.” 


276 WITH LAFA TBTTB A T YORKTO WN. 

“ Where are you going Ned asked as Josh 
mounted. 

“ To tell the general.” 

“Which one?” 

“ General Lafayette, of course. He’ll send men 
out to recapture the colonel, an I’ll go with ’em.” 

“But you forget, Josh, that we are now in the 
American wing of the army, and our own officers 
should receive the information first. Here comes 
Colonel Humphreys. He is the one who ought to 
be told.” 

Lieutenant-Colonel David Humphreys, General 
Washington’s aide, was just entering the works, and 
to him Josh repeated the sad news. 

This done, the boys returned to their quarters to 
seek advice of Jepson as to their duties, and he 
recommended them to remain quiet until definite 
orders were sent them. 

“It is known you were on the poor colonel’s 
staff, an’ you’ll be told when a change of assign- 
ment has been made.” 

This was not such advice as Josh wanted. He 
was eager to do something toward avenging the 
barbarous deed, for the soldier who witnessed the 
affair was positive Colonel Scammell had been shot 
after surrendering, and, but for Jepson, might have 
committed some serious offense against military 
discipline. 

Late in the afternoon, to the surprise of the 
besiegers, a flag of truce was seen coming from the 
town, and soon word was passed around the camp 


THE SIEGE. 


277 


that Colonel Scammell had been released on 
parole. 

l^ow the young lieutenants turned nurses, agree- 
ing among themselves that each should remain 
with the wounded officer eight hours out of every 
twenty-four, and those off duty would attend to 
such camp work as was not performed by the 
servants. 

Thus it was they took no active part in the task 
of throwing up earthworks, or in the bombardment. 

Jepson brought them from time to time infor- 
mation of what was being done, and Josh had no 
cause for sorrow that he might be missing an 
engagement, since nothing in the way of actual 
fighting was undertaken, save by the artillerymen. 

On the 6th of October Colonel Scammell 
died, all three of the young lieutenants being in his 
tent at the time, and their sorrow would have been 
even greater than it was, but for the fact that 
within two hours after the gallant soldier passed 
away they received orders to report for duty under 
Colonel Stewart. 

The final advance upon the besieged town was 
to be begun. 

The approach was to be made by parallels, and 
while a certain number of men labored at digging, 
a much larger force remained under arms near at 
hand to repel possible attacks. 

The trench was completed by sunrise, and before 
the enemy had any idea of what was being done. 
That the English knew some movement was in 


278 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT YORKTOWN. 


progress could be told by the fact that a steady fire 
was poured in upon the troops, although, owing to 
the darkness, their aim was so bad that not more 
than twenty were killed or wounded. 

Ben had believed it would be impossible for him 
to sleep while an engagement was imminent ; yet 
when relieved from duty after this night’s fatiguing 
work, he threw himself on the ground by the side 
of a wounded soldier, and slept soundly for five 
hours, during which time the artillerymen were 
constantly at work. 

“The Yorktown Campaign,” by Johnston, con- 
tains the following regarding this portion of the 
siege, and since the boj^s were kept at the same 
duty during the entire ten days, with hardly an 
opportunity to converse with each other, the 
situation will be better understood from the para- 
graph than if a detailed account of all their move- 
ments was given : 

“For ten days, now, until the closing scene, the 
siege was conducted with the greatest system and 
activity. The first Continental troops to occupy 
the trenches on the forenoon of the Tth were 
Lafayette’s light infantry. They marched in with 
the tread of veterans, colors flying, drums beating, 
and planted their standards on the parapet. The 
enemy saluted them with a few shots without effect. 
Digging went on. It was proposed to make the 
parallel safe against sorties, and four palisaded re- 
doubts and five batteries had accordingly been 
marked for construction at proper intervals along 


THE SIEGE. 


279 


the line. Upon these and the trenches the fatigue 
parties worked incessantly under the enemy’s fire, 
which at times was severe ; but the casualties 
were few. The duty proved taxing, and many 
soldiers were taken down with the ag-ue, French 
especially. In the enemy’s camp over one thousand 
were reported on the sick list. They were digging 
there defensively quite as hard as the allies 
offensively. . . . 

“ Industrious digging on the part of the allies 
continued night and day, until by the afternoon of 
the 9th a sufficient number of batteries had been 
erected to open the bombardment of Yorktown. 
The first to fire, at three o’clock, was the French 
battery on the extreme left, opposite the British 
Fusileers’ redoubt. It had been erected by the 
regiment Touraine, and mounted four twelve- 
pounders and six howitzers and mortars. Its fire 
compelled the frigate Guadaloupe to retire to the 
Gloucester shore. At five o’clock the American 
battery on the extreme right, on the river bank be- 
low, which appears to have been under the charge 
of Captain Ferguson, of the Fourth Artillery, fol- 
lowed with discharges from six eighteen and twenty- 
four pounders, four mortars, and two howitzers, 
and the serious work of the siege had begun.” 

By this time the 3 'oung lieutenants began to con- 
sider themselves entitled to the name of soldiers. 

They had participated in all the wearying work, 
exposed to fire every hour while in the trenches, 
which was often twelve or fifteen out of the twenty- 


280 


WITH LAFA YFTTE AT TORKTOWN. 


four, and never flinching in the slightest, whatever 
the duty demanded of them. 

Jepson must have believed they had graduated 
from his school, for he no longer insisted on their 
saluting him during leisure moments, and paid them 
the same respect he accorded to older oflicers. 

“ I’ve done a great work,” he said one night 
when the four were coming out of the trenches in 
company. 

“ Yes, it’s been mighty hard, an’ I shall be glad 
when we have a chance to go for the Britishers in 
good earnest,” Josh replied, thinking the old man 
referred to the labor just performed. 

‘‘I’m not talkin’ of what’s been done this day.” 

“ What is it then ?” 

“It’s great when you think what I’ve made out 
of three as green lads as ever struck a camp.” 

“ Meanin’ us, of course ?” 

“ Where did you ever see greener ones than you, 
when you come here from Dobbs Ferry ?” 

“ It don’t make any difference so long as you’re 
willin’ to call us soldiers now.” 

“ I’ll have to do that, lad, for you boys are actin’ 
your part in this ’ere scrimmage like men.” 

“That’s enough for me!” Josh cried gleefully. 
“ I’m satisfied now, an’ shall be till the battle opens 
in good earnest.” 

“There’s a sharp bit of fightin’ goin’ on this 
night, but you won’t be in it, my bantam.” 

“ What do you mean now ?” 

“ The two outer redoubts are to be stormed an’ 
you’re not among the-m who are to take part.” 


THE SIEGE. 


281 


“But ril go any way,” Josh replied stoutly. 

“No, you won’t, lad. It’s as much the part of a 
good soldier to obey orders as it is to fight. The 
French are to play one end of the game, and 
General Steuben’s division the other. We can stay 
in camp suckin’ our thumbs while the sport is goin’ 
on.” 

One would have said Josh had been wronged 
in some way, so angry and disappointed was he 
when Jepson proved that he could not take part in 
the assault. 

At one time he declared he would go to General 
Steuben himself and beg for permission to accom- 
pany the detachment ; but Jepson immediately 
asserted his authority of teacher. 

“ Do 3^ou think you’re the only brave one in this 
camp?” he cried angrily. When you see hundreds 
of men who have fought ag’in overwhelmin’ odds 
for six long years, do you fancy what you did be- 
tween here an’ Dobbs Ferry entitles you to more 
privileges than they ? I’d give six days rations an’ 
go hungry, for the sake of bein’ with the boj^s this 
night; but I’m not sich an idjut as to whine ’cause 
it was my luck to be left out in the cold, an’ there’s 
many a man here who’s feelin’ same’s I am.” 

Josh was ashamed to make any more complaint. 

While Jepson was speaking so earnestly, that 
which he and his companions had done seemed sud- 
denly to dwindle into insignificance, and he realized 
what a vivid contrast there was between his 
services and those of the brave fellows who had re- 


282 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT YORKTOWN. 


mained in the Continental army so many long, 
dreary years. 

There was little sleep on this night, however, 
either for the boys or Jepson, despite the fact that 
they had been in the trenches during all the hours 
of daylight. 

The four watched the assaulting parties set out 
silently, and then waited, almost breathless with 
excitement, for the signal to be given, for both 
forces were to make the attack at the same moment. 

The discharge of six shells was finally seen and 
heard, and the tumult of battle began. 

“It’s a big time, an’ I ain’t in it!” Josh said 
mournfully, after which he spoke not a word until 
the victory had been won, when he joined with 
those around him in cheering the brave men who 
had that night written their names on the roll of 
honor. 


THE SUBJEtENDEB, 


283 


CHAPTER XX. 

THE SURRENDER. 

Josh missed another skirmish, which might 
almost have been called an engagement, and began 
to think his “ luck’’ had deserted him. 

It was on the night of the 15th when four hun- 
dred of the English forces made a sortie on that 
part of the line farthest from where the young lieu- 
tenants were stationed. 

“ You see if I miss the next one!” Josh said 
savagely when it was over, and the enemy defeated 
in his purpose. “ I’ll do my share of this work if I 
have to resign my commission, an’ go in as a 
private !” 

“An’ how would that benefit you, my hearty 
Jepson cried mockingly. “ I allow the privates are 
held in their places more sharp than you bloomin’ 
lootenants. The only way I can see out of it for an’ 
idjut like you, is to send Corney word of where 
you’re stationed, an’ ask if he’ll be pleased to give 
you a chance to get your head split open.” 

“It may be fixed better’n that, ray bloomin’ 
private, an’ when I’ve found out how. I’ll keep my 
mouth shut. Then it’ll be you who howls ’cause 
you don’t get a fair show,” 


284 


WITH LAFA 7ETTE AT YORETOWN. 


“ You wouldn’t go without me, Lootenant 
Higgins ?” 

“ Just wait an’ see.” 

“ But think that I’m the one what has made you 
a ornament to your perfession, an’ then say if you’d 
sneak off, leavin’ me in the lurch ?” 

‘‘ I believe you are as bad as Josh,” Hed cried 
laughingly. “ It is a shame that you can’t get your 
fill of such work, especially when there is so much 
of it going on.” 

Josh continued to grumble until they had an 
opportunity to lie down for the remainder of the 
night, and next morning he was abroad bright and 
early, asking the opinion of every one he met as to 
where the next assault or sortie vvould probably be 
made. 

It was destined, however, that the ambitious lieu- 
tenant should not see any more fighting in the 
vicinity of York town. 

During the forenoon of the 17th of October a 
red-coated drummer mounted the enemy’s parapet, 
and began to beat a ‘‘ parley.” 

The young lieutenants were stationed almost 
directly opposite, and Josh clambered up on the 
earthworks, regardless of the possible danger, to 
learn the meaning of the strange action. 

Jepson succeeded in gaining his pupil’s side just 
as an ofiicer appeared near the drummer, waving a 
white handkerchief. 

During an instant the old soldier stood as if 
suddenly stricken motionless, and then he shouted : 


THE SURRENDER. 


285 . 


“ It’s surrender, bojs ! It’s surrender ! Corney 
has had enough of it !” 

The more incredulous believed that a truce was 
asked for because of some unimportant matter ; but 
soon every man in camp knew that the English 
commander had requested a cessation of hostilities 
for twenty-four hours in order that the terms of 
surrender might be decided upon. 

“ Then there is to be no more fightin’ ?” Josh asked 
of Jepson. 

“ No more here, thank God ! Perhaps the war 
ends with this !” 

“And I shan’t be able to prove I’ve got the right 
to wear a sword.” 

“You’ve shown that already, lad, an’ you’ll soon 
have a chance to witness what my eyes have been 
achin’ to see.” 

“ What’s that ?” 

“ The surrender of British forces to the soldiers 
of the Continental Congress ! Corney, proud as he 
is, must swallow the pill he’s offered to take.” 

“ Will he come out now ?” Ben asked, as he and 
Ned joined the veteran and the “ raw recruit.” 

“ Not till everything is settled ; but it’s bound to 
come soon, an’ you got here in time to be in at the 
death.” 

Ned was more interested in the scene which was 
being enacted in the trenches than by the conver- 
sation of his friends, and it was one long to be re- 
membered. 

Men were embracing each other ; shouting like 


286 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT TORKTOWN, 


boys, as if they could give vent to their feelings 
only by noise; some laughing while tears streamed 
down their cheeks, and others capering like jump- 
ing-jacks. 

There were many soldiers present who had 
served six years, with never a scene like this to 
cheer them men who had suffered from hunger, 
from cold when they had insufficient clothing, and 
men who had been forced to go into an engagement 
without ammunition because there was none to be 
had. JS’ow all these sufferings and privations were 
to be rewarded ; one of the ablest officers in the 
king’s service had acknowledged himself vanquished 
by the rebels, and was suing for an opportunity to 
surrender ! 

From this moment until the hour of the grand 
spectacle on the afternoon of October 20th, the 
young officers were hardly aware how the time 
passed, so intense was the excitement everywhere 
within the American lines. 

Josh’s mule received an unusual grooming on this 
day, for the three lieutenants were to fill their 
respective stations on Colonel Stewart’s staff, and 
what they saw that memorable afternoon can best 
be described by one who was present— Lieutenant- 
Colonel Harry Lee, as set down in Lee’s ‘‘ Memoirs 

“ At two o’clock in the evening the British army, 
led by General O’Hara, marched out of its lines 
with colors cased, and drums beating a British 
march. 

“ The author was present at this ceremony ; and 


THE SURRENDER. 


287 


certainly no spectacle could be more impressive 
than the one now exhibited. Yaliant troops yield- 
ing up their arms after fighting in defense of a 
cause dear to them (because the cause of their 
country), under a leader who, throughout the war, 
in every grade and in every situation to which he 
had been called, appeared the Hector of his host. 
Battle after battle had he fought ; climate after 
climate had he endured ; towns had yielded to his 
mandate ; posts were abandoned at his approach ; 
armies were conquered by his prowess ; one nearly 
exterminated, another chased from the confines of 
South Carolina beyond the Dan into Virginia, and 
a third severely chastised in that State on the 
shores of James Kiver. But here even he, in the 
midst of his splendid career, found his conqueror. 

“The road through which they marched was 
lined with spectators, French and American. On 
one side the commander-in-chief, surrounded by his 
suite and the American staff, took his station; on 
the other side, opposite to him, was the Count de 
Kocharabeau, in like manner attended. The cap- 
tive army approached, moving slowly in column 
with grace and precision. Universal silence was 
observed amid the vast concourse, and the utmost 
decency prevailed : exhibiting in demeanor an 
awful sense of the vicissitudes of human life, mingled 
with commiseration for the unhappy. The head of 
the column approached the commander-in-chief; 
O’Hara, mistaking the circle, turned to that on his 
left, for the purpose of paying his respects to the 


288 


WITH LA FA YETTE AT TOBKTOWN’. 


commander-in-chief, and requesting further orders ; 
when, quickly discovering his error, with much em- 
barrassment in his countenance he flew across the 
road, and, advancing up to Washington, asked 
pardon for his mistake, apologized for the absence 
of Lord Cornwallis, and begged to know his further 
pleasure. The general, feeling his embarrassment, 
relieved it by referring him with much politeness 
to General Lincoln for his government. Returning 
to the. head of the column, it again moved under the 
guidance of Lincoln to the field selected for the 
conclusion of the ceremony. 

“Every eye was turned, searching for the British 
commander-in-chief, anxious to look at that man, 
heretofore so much the object of their dread. All 
were disappointed. Cornwallis held himself back 
from the humiliating scene ; obeying sensations 
which his great character ought to have stifled. 
He had been unfortunate, not from any false step 
or deficiency of exertion on his part, but from the 
infatuated policy of his superior, and the united 
power of his enemy, brought to bear upon him 
alone. There was nothing with which he could 
reproach himself ; there was nothing with which he 
could reproach his brave and faithful army ; why 
not, then, apppear at its head in the day of misfor- 
tune, as he had always done in the day of triumph ? 
The British general in this instance deviated from 
his usual line of conduct, dimming the splendor of 
his long and brilliant career. 

“The post of Gloucester, falling with that of 


THE SURRENDER. 


289 


York, was delivered up on the same day by Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Tarleton, who had succeeded to the 
command on the transfer of Lieutenant-Colonel 
Dundas to the more important duties assigned to 
him in the defense of York. Previous to the sur- 
render, Tarleton waited upon General Choisy, and 
communicated to that officer his apprehensions for 
his personal safety if put at the disposal of the 
American militia. This conference was sought for 
the purpose of inducing an arrangement which 
should shield him from the vengeance of the 
inhabitants. General Choisy did not hesitate 
a moment in gratifying the wishes of Tarleton. 
The Legion of Lauzun and the corps of Mercer were 
selected by the general to receive the submitting 
enemy, while the residue of the allied detachment 
was held back in camp. As soon as the ceremony 
of surrender was performed, Lieutenant-Colonel 
Hugo, of the Legion of Mercer, with his militia and 
grenadiers, took possession of the redoubts, and 
protected the hostile garrison from those outrages 
so seriously, though unwarrantably, anticipated by 
the British commandant. It would have been very 
satisfactory to have been enabled to give the reasons 
which induced this communication from Lieutenant- 
Colonel Tarleton, but Choisy did not go into the 
inquiry, and they remain unascertained.” 

Johnston in his “ Yorktown Campaign,” writes 
regarding the details of the surrender : 

As O’Hara advanced to the chief, he was 
referred to Lincoln, who, upon receiving the sword 


290 


WITH LAFA 7ETTE AT YORKTOWN. 


as a token of the enemy’s submission, immediately 
returned it to the British general, whose troops then 
marched between the two lines to a field on the 
right, where they grounded their arms. For the 
proud and veteran soldiers, Avho were the heroes of 
repeated Southern victories, this was a humiliating 
ceremony, but it was done in good order. In the 
field a squadron of French hussars had formed a 
circle, and within it each regiment marched and 
deposited their arms.” 

Just here it may be well to delay the closing of 
the story sufficiently long to give a copy of the 
letter sent by Lord Cornwallis to General Clinton 
on the day after the surrender. 

“York Town, Virginia, Oct. 20, 1781. 

“ Sir: I have the mortification to inform your excel- 
lency that I have been forced to give up the posts 
of York and Gloucester, and to surrender the troops 
under my command, by capitulation on the 19th 
instant, as prisoners of war, to the combined forces 
of America and France. 

“ I never saw this post in a very favorable light ; 
but when I found I was to be attacked in it, in so 
unprepared a state, by so powerful an army and 
artillery, nothing but the hopes of relief would have 
induced me to attempt its defense ; for I would 
either have endeavored to escape to I^ew York by 
rapid marches from the Gloucester side, immediately 
on the arrival of General Washington’s troops at 
AVilliamsburg, or, I would, notwithstanding the 
disparity of numbers, have attacked them in the 
open field, where it might have been just possible 
that fortune would have favored the gallantry of the 


TEE SURRENDER. 


291 


handful of troops under iny command. But, being 
assured by your excellency’s letters that every 
possible means would be tried by the navy and 
army to relieve us, 1 could not think myself at 
liberty to venture upon either of those desperate 
attempts; therefore, after remaining for two days 
in a strong position in front of this place, in hopes 
of being attacked, upon observing that the enemy 
were taking measures which could not fail of turning 
my left flank in a short time, and receiving on the 
second evening your letter of the 24th of September, 
that the relief would fail about the 5th of October, 
I withdrew within the works on the night of the 
29th of September, hoping by the labor and firm- 
ness of the soldiers to protect the defense until you 
could arrive. Everything was to be expected from 
the spirit of the troops ; but every disadvantage 
attended their labor, as the work was to be con- 
tinued under the enemy’s fire, and our stock of in- 
trenching tools, which did not much exceed four 
hundred when we began to work in the latter end 
of August, was now much diminished. 

“ The enemy broke ground on the night of the 
30th, and constructed on that night, and the two 
following days and nights, two redoubts, which 
with some works that had belonged to our outward 
position occupied a gorge between two creeks or 
ravines, which come from the river on each side of 
the town. On the night of the 6th of October they 
made their first parallel, extending from its right on 
the river to a deep ravine on the left nearly opposite 
to the center of this place, and embracing our whole 
left, at the distance of six hundred yards. Having 
perfected this parallel, their batteries opened on the 
evening of the 9th against our left ; and other bat- 
teries fired at the same time against a redoubt over 
a creek upon our right, and defended by about one 


292 WITH LA FA YHTTE A T TOUKTO WN. 

hundred and twenty men of the Twenty-third regi- 
ment and marines," who maintained that post with 
uncommon gallantry. The tire continued incessant 
from heavy cannon, and from mortars and howitzers, 
throwing shells from eight to sixteen inches, until all 
our guns on the left were silenced, our works much 
damaged, and our loss of men considerable. On the 
night of the 11th they began their second parallel, 
about three hundred yards nearer to us. The troops 
being much weakened by sickness, as well as by the 
tire of the besiegers, and observing that the enem}^ 
had not only secured their flanks, but proceeded in 
every respect with the utmost regularity and 
caution, I could not venture so large sorties as to 
hope from them any considerable effect ; but other- 
wise I did everything in my power to interrupt 
their- work, by opening new embrasures for guns, 
and keeping up a constant fire with all the howit- 
zers and small mortars we could man. On the even- 
ing of the 14th they assaulted and carried two re- 
doubts that had been advanced about three hundred 
3 ^ards for the purpose of delaying their approaches 
and covering our left flank, and during the night in- 
cluded them in their second parallel, on which they 
continued to work with the utmost exertion. Being 
perfectly sensible that our works could not stand 
man}^ hours after the opening of the batteries of 
that parallel, we not onlv continued a constant fire 
with all our mortars, and every gun that could be 
brought to bear on it, but a little before daybreak, 
on the morning of the 10th, I ordered a sortie of 
about three hundred and fifty men, under the 
direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Abercrombie, to 
attack two batteries which appeared to be in the 
greatest forwardness, and to spike the guns. 

“A detachment of guards with the eightieth 
company of grenadiers, under command of Lieuten- 


THE SURRENDER. 


293 


ant-Cplonel Lake, attacked the one ; and one of the 
light ’ infantry, under the command of Major 
Armstrong, attacked the other ; and both succeeded, 
by forcing the redoubts that covered them, spiking 
eleven guns and killing or wounding about one 
hundred of the French troops who had the guard of 
that part of the trenches, and with little loss on our 
side. The action, though extremely honorable to 
the officers and soldiers who executed it, proved of 
little public advantage ; for the cannon, having 
been spiked in a hurry, were soon rendered lit for 
service again ; and before dark the whole parallel 
and batteries appeared to be nearly complete. At 
this time we know that there was no part of the 
whole front attacked on which we could throw a 
single gun, and our shells were nearly expended ; I 
had therefore only to choose between preparing to 
surrender next day, or endeavoring to get olf with 
the greatest part of the troops ; and I determined 
to attempt the latter, reflecting that, though it 
should prove unsuccessful in its immediate object, 
it might at least delay the enemy in the prosecu- 
tion of further enterprises. Sixteeft large boats 
were prepared, and upon other pretexts were 
ordered to be in readiness to receive troops pre- 
cisely at ten o’clock : with these I hoped to pass the 
infantry during the night; abandoning our baggage, 
and leaving a detachment to capitulate for the 
townspeople, and the sick and wounded ; on which 
subject a letter was ready to be delivered to General 
Washington. After making my arrangements 
with the utmost secrecy, the light infantry, greatest 
part of the guards, and part of the Twenty-third 
regiment landed at Gloucester ; but at this critical 
moment, the weather, from being moderate and 
calm, changed to a violent storm of wind and rain, 


294 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT TORKTOWN, 


and drove all the boats, some of which had t coops 
on board, down the river. It was soon evident that 
the intended passage was impracticable ; and the 
absence of the boats rendered it equally impossible 
to bring back the troops that had passed, which I 
had ordered about two in the morning. In this 
situation, with my little force divided, the enemy’s 
batteries opened at daybreak. The passage between 
this place and Gloucester was much exposed, but 
the boats having now returned, they were ordered 
to bring back the troops that had passed during the 
night, and they joined in the forenoon without 
much loss. Our works in the meantime were going 
to ruin ; and not having been able to strengthen 
them by abattis, nor in any other manner than by 
a light fraizing, which the enemj^’s artillery were 
demolishing wherever they fired, my opinion en- 
tirely coincided with that of the engineer and 
principal officers of the army, that they were in 
many places assailable in the forenoon, and that by 
the continuance of the same fire for a few hours 
longer they would be in such a state as to render 
it desperate, with our numbers, to attempt to main- 
tain them. We at that time could not fire a single 
gun ; only one eight-inch and a little more than a 
hundred cohorn shells remained ; a diversion by the 
French ships of war that lay at the mouth of the 
York River was to be expected. Our numbers had 
been diminished by the enemy’s fire, but particu- 
larly by sickness ; and the strength and spirit of 
those in the works were much exhausted by the 
fatigue of constant watching and unremitting duty. 
Under all these circumstances, I thought it would 
have been wanton and inhuman to the last degree to 
sacrifice the lives of this small body of gallant 
soldiers, who had ever behaved with so much 


THE SURRENDER. 


295 


fidelity and courage, by exposing them to an assault 
which, from the numbers and precautions of the 
enemy, could not fail to succeed. I therefore pro- 
posed to capitulate, and I have the honor to enclose 
to your excellency the copy of the correspondence 
between General Washington and me on that sub- 
ject, and the terms of the capitulation agreed upon. 
I sincerely lament that better could not be obtained ; 
but I have neglected nothing in my power to 
alleviate the misfortunes and distress of both officers 
and soldiers. The men are well clothed and pro- 
vided with necessaries, and I trust will be regularly 
supplied by the means of the officers that are per- 
mitted to remain with them. The treatment in 
general that we have received from the enemy since 
our surrender has been perfectly good and proper ; 
but the kindness and attention that has been showed 
to us by the French officers in particular, their 
delicate sensibility of our situation, their generous 
and pressing offers of money, both public and private, 
to any amount, has really gone be^^ond what I can 
possibly describe, and will, I hope, make an im- 
pression on the breast of every officer, whenever 
the fortune of war should put any of them in our 
power. 

“ Although the event has been so unfortunate, the 
patience of the soldiers in bearing the greatest 
fatigues, and their firmness and intrepidity under a 
persevering fire of shot and shells, that I believe 
has not often been exceeded, deserved the highest 
admiration and praise. A succcessful defense, 
however, in our situation was perhaps impossible ; 
for the place could only be reckoned an intrenchecl 
camp, subject in most places to enfilade, and the 
ground in general so disadvantageous that nothing 
but the necessity of fortifying it as a post to protect 


296 WITH LA FA YETTE A T TORKTO IFiV. 

the navy could have induced any person to erect 
works upon it. Our force diminished daily by sick- 
ness and other losses, and was reduced, when we 
offered to capitulate on this side, to little more than 
three thousand two hundred rank and file fit for 
duty, including officers’ servants and artificers ; and 
at Gloucester about six hundred, including cavalry. 
The enemy’s army consisted of upward of six thou- 
sand French, nearly as many Continentals, and five 
thousand militia. They brought an immense train 
of heavy artillery, most amply furnished with 
ammunition, and perfectly well manned. 

‘‘ The constant and universal cheerfulness and 
spirit of the officers in all hardships and dangers 
deserve my warmest acknowledgment ; and I have 
been particularly indebted to Brigadier-General 
O’Hara and Lieutenant-Colonel Abercrombie, the 
former commanding on the right, and the latter on 
the left, for their attention and exertion on every 
occasion. The detachment of the Twenty-third 
regiment, commanded by Captain Apthorpe, and 
the subsequent detachments, commanded by Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Johnson, deserve particular com- 
mendation. Captain Kochefort, who commanded the 
artillery, and indeed every officer and soldier of that 
distinguished corps, and Lieutenant Sutherland, the 
commanding engineer, have merited in every 
respect my highest approbation : and I cannot suffi- 
ciently acknowledge my obligations to Captain 
Symonds, who commanded His Majesty’s ships, and 
to the other officers and seamen of the navy, for 
their active and zealous co-operation. 

“ I transmit returns of our killed and wounded ; 
the loss of seamen and townspeople was likewise 
considerable. I trust your excellency will please to 
hasten the return of the Bonetta, after landing her 


THE sun REEDER 


297 


passengers, in compliance with the article of 
capitulation. 

“Lieutenant-Colonel Abercrombie will have the 
honor to explain this despatch, and is well qualified 
to explain to your excellency every particular re- 
lating to our past and present situation. 

“I have the honor to be your excellency’s 
obedient servant. 


“ Cornwallis.” 


298 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT YORKTOWN. 


CHAPTEK XXI. 

AT PORTSMOUTH. 

It was Christmas morning in the year 1781. 

The good people of Portsmouth were unusually 
happy on this day, for there appeared to be excellent 
reason for believing the long war was nearly at an 
end, and the words, “ peace on earth,” took on a 
deeper significance than ever before. 

In the midst of the happiness and rejoicing the 
name' of Alexander Scammell was not forgotten, 
and, more than one wreath of green had entwined 
in it a bit of black in loving remembrance of the 
gallant soldier who had given up his life that free- 
dom and peace might be the heritage of his posterity. 

Jacob Downs was one of the few who did not 
feel particularly happy on this occasion. Had there 
been a different ending to the siege of Yorktown he 
might have felt more like entering into the spirit of 
the festal season ; but, under all the circumstances, 
it seemed to him he had ample cause for discontent. 

The good people of Portsmouth had not been kept 
in ignorance of the services rendered the Conti- 
nental army by two boys from that town. Those 
soldiers at the siege whose homes were in that 
section of the country, wrote very much concerning 


AT PORTSMOUTH. 


299 


the young lieutenants who had received such flat- 
tering attentions from the French general, and, as a 
matter of course, Jacob Downs knew in what 
manner his nephew had distinguished himself. 

To the tory the information was most disagreeable, 
and while hurrying down the street this particular 
Christmas morning, he was blaming himself for not 
having been more persistent in the pursuit of the 
runaway. 

It was while his thoughts were on this unpleasant 
subject that he found his progress barred by three 
young men wearing the uniform of the Continental 
army, and one of them, extending his hand, said in 
a cheer}^ friendly tone : 

“ Good-morning, uncle. I hope you haven’t for- 
gotten me so soon.” 

Jacob Downs’ eyesight was by no means as strong 
as it had been, but yet it was sufficiently keen to 
enable him to recognize in the officer before him the 
subject of his bitter thoughts. 

“ So you’ve come back like the bad penny, have 
you he asked grimly, not offering to clasp the 
extended hand. 

“ I am back, sir, in whatever way I may have re- 
turned.” 

“When did you arrive.” 

“ Last evening.” 

“ And I suppose my house is too mean to be 
entered by a lieutenant in the rebel army.” 

“ I am an officer of the Continental army, sir ; but 
I did not fail to present myself because of that 


300 


WITH LA FA YETTE A T 70RKT0 WN. 


reason. My friend, Lieutenant Jaffreys, invited me 
to visit him, and, to tell the truth, I was doubtful as 
to a welcome from you.” 

‘‘ As well you might be, you young scoundrel !” 
Jacob Downs replied, speaking in more forcible 
language than, perhaps, he might otherwise have 
done, because several townspeople had halted to 
congratulate the young officers on their safe return. 
“ I supported you as the son of my sister ; but even 
a near relative has no claim on me when he proves 
himself a thief.” 

“ That is a harsh word, sir, since I did no more 
than use the horse I had been allowed to consider 
my own.” 

“ You knew 1 never made the mistake of thinking 
him yours, and now, after destroying my property, 
you expect a welcome.” 

“ I said I was in doubt as to whether I should re- 
ceive one, sir. The horse I have brought back, and 
he is in your stable at this moment, none the worse 
for the service.” 

“ That doesn’t lessen the crime. You shall be 
arrested for stealing him, that the youths of this 
town may have an example set before them. Kow 
go to the home you have disgraced, and there 
remain until the officers come to take you to prison.” 

“ What is that ?” one of the bystanders asked 
loudly. “ Who will dare arrest an officer of the 
army ?” 

“I dare !” Jacob Downs cried fiercely. 

“ Go ahead and see how much you can make out 


AT PORTSMOUTH. 


301 


of it !” another shouted. ‘‘No warrant will be 
granted, and in case a magistrate should be found so 
base as to do such a thing, we would see it wasn’t 
executed. Take a word of caution from one who 
hasn’t any respect for tories, and have a care, Jacob 
Downs ! We have borne with you a long while, as 
we did with Amos Sprague, but the day finally 
arrived when he couldn’t be tolerated any longer in 
this town.” 

Then suddenly, and to his great surprise, Ned’s 
uncle found himself crowded aside as if he had been 
the meanest of Portsmouth’s citizens, instead of one 
of the richest, and the three boys were surrounded 
by an admiring throng, each member of which 
seemed trying to outdo the other in the warmth of 
his greeting. 

Josh was introduced, and his face quickly red- 
dened with blushes as he heard the words of praise 
showered upon him. 

He was as well known, by reputation, as were his 
comrades, and the greetings were not one whit less 
hearty than those bestowed upon the other officers. 

“We have come here on a short furlough,” Ben 
said in reply to many questions, “ and must leave 
on New Year’s day. Josh and Ned are my guests, 
by invitation from father, who is still with the 
army. Yes, we shall remain in the service as long 
as we may be needed. Lieutenant Higgins has a 
command, and there is every reason to believe will 
soon receive a captain’s commission, but Ned and I 
are still unattached. We hope to be assigned to 


302 


WITH LAFAYETTE AT TORKTOWN, 


Colonel ScammelPs old regiment when we get 
back.” 

Ned was kept busy receiving invitations to look 
upon this home or that as his own ; but he grate- 
fully refused all such propositions, on the plea that 
he did not feel at liberty to quarter himself upon 
an}^ one but his comrade. 

“Don’t you be a bit af eared of what Jacob 
Downs may do!” Samuel Tibbetts, a leading 
merchant, said emphatically. “It won’t be safe 
for him to keep up his tory talk many days longer, 
and I shall take it upon myself to make him under- 
stand that fact. Getting his horse back is more 
than he deserves, but you shan’t be the loser by 
your honesty, my lad. We . of Portsmouth are 
proud of you, and there shall be no lack of beasts 
when you leave us.” 

From that day until the hour of their departure 
the boys were the recipients of the warmest 
hospitality, and on the evening before they set off 
to rejoin the army, a horse, with complete equip- 
ment, was presented to each of the young officers, 
as a “ token of regard and esteem from the citizens 
of Portsmouth.” 

As for Ned’s uncle, he did not attempt to carry 
out his threats, and early on the following spring 
sailed for England, where he could give free vent 
to his opinions without fear of such treatment as was 
openly threatened by his old neighbors. 

It would be a labor of love to follow the boys 
during their military career into the year 1812, 


AT PORTSMOUTH. 


303 


when thej fought again for their country, each as 
an officer of the line ; but to yield to such a tempta- 
tion would involve the extending of this story over 
more pages than the reader would have patience to 
turn. 

That the young lieutanents achieved yet greater 
military reputation, is already a matter of history, 
and there the outlines, if not the details, of their 
subsequent career may be traced. 


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THE ALG ER SERIE S for BOYS 

XJnifbrm with. This Volume. 

This series affords wholesome reading for boys and girls, and all the 
volumes are extremely interesting.— Cmcmnafz Commercial-Gazette. 


JOE’S LUCK ; or, A Brave Boy’s Advent aref, in California. By 

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Autobiography of Benjamiu 
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Bacon’s Essays. By Francis Bacon. 

Barbara Heathcote’s Trial. By 

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Barnaby Budge. By Charles 
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Child’s History of England. By 
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Cranford. By Mrs. GaskeU. 

Crown of Wild Olive, The. By 
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Daniel Deronda. By George Eliot. 

Daughter of an Empress, The. 

By Louisa Muhlbach. 


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